Providence Postgame Thread

[hoophuskee]

If Kaitlyn keeps this up, KK is starting point guard whether she finds her shot or not.

Don't agree. She is being left beyond being wide open.

 

[Chet71]

Some thoughts on the Providence game;

• It’s always good for a team to get back on the court in order to flush a loss out of its system. UConn did that this afternoon vs Providence before a sellout holiday crowd at XL.
• Jana gets her 1st start, which is both a message and a challenge to Ice and Jana. Geno started the lineup today with the hope and expectation that this unit can jell together to carry this team to the promised land. I had high hopes after Jana posted up and scored on UConn’s 2nd possession, but clearly this is going to be a work in progress….
• As many of us predicted based on the 2nd half success vs USC, UConn rolled out a full court, man-to-man, trapping press, 3 minutes into the 1st qtr (I’m patting myself on the back ). Against an experienced team, UConn forced 31 turnovers with 17 steals. Here is another prediction. UConn will employ some form of pressure defense in every game for the rest of the season, particularly once Aubrey is back in the lineup.
• Great to see Azzi back and draining a couple of 3’s. She is nowhere near her top form yet. But it will come.
• Paige is a complete basketball player to be sure. But I must say, she is absolutely at her most effective from midrange. One or two quick dribbles off a high screen, pull up, elevate, bury the J. It’s truly a thing of beauty.
• I thought the Huskies had gotten over the “Ugly 3rd Qtr disease” that had been plaguing them earlier in the season. But apparently not....
• I really like Kaitlyn, but if KK can ever find her shot, I think she starts for UConn.
• Somewhat ugly win that I will chalk up to the post-Christmas funk the Huskies seem to catch just about every season.
• Bring on the Golden Eagles on New Years Day!!!

My wife & I will be there at Marquette to cheer on the Huskies!

 

[Zonepress]

In some ways the big east games are hard. There is no way really for UConn to win. A 20/30/40 point win and the discussion afterwards is that they should have played better. And that is what they have to look forward to for the next two months tbh.

Unfortunately, true

 

[Zonepress]

I thought they did get a lot of good shots but just missed. Particularly Azzi.
I liked that AZ got some minutes. I feel like I know what she's going to do. Every shot/drive makes sense. I'd love if she got ten minutes a game especially if we continue to shoot so poorly from the outside.
I don't like that Jana only played 10 minutes and basically didn't play after the first minute of the second half. Geno got frustrated and subbed of her for Ice but I can't recall the mistake. I get that's what this time of the year is for but I don't think it's fair to blame her on the flip side for limited productivity or lack of rhythm.
Nevertheless always enjoy watching the team play.

Her defense would need to improve to get minutes in a meaningful game

 

[hoophuskee]

Unfortunately, true

No it isn't.

As a fan you (not you specifically) don't have to pretend on here that you are also coaching the team.

Not one poster on here as far as I know is a coach of this UCONN team. As a result, sometimes it's okay to stop pretending that one is a coach and just enjoy some positives realizing that many of the negatives are going to be worked on by a pretty good coaching staff.

 

[HuskieDawg]

Yes, both Jana & Ice appear to be extremely fragile. Whenever they make a mistake, they seem to disappear from the game. I’ve always believed that Jamelle, “the post whisperer,” had the ability to build up the confidence of UConn’s Bigs. She’s really going to have to earn her salary this year.

It would help if Geno didn’t pull them instantly after a mistake was made. I understand that’s how he teaches and the kids know what they are signing up for, but in this case letting them work through it on the court against those inferior teams might be more beneficial long term for the team, as a whole.

 

[HuskyNan]

No it isn't.

As a fan you (not you specifically) don't have to pretend on here that you are also coaching the team.

Not one poster on here as far as I know is a coach of this UCONN team. As a result, sometimes it's okay to stop pretending that one is a coach and just enjoy some positives realizing that many of the negatives are going to be worked on by a pretty good coaching staff.

@Zonepress was commenting about the fans, not the coaches/team. He essentially said fans will complain regardless of the final margin in score. I agree

 

[hoophuskee]

It would help if Geno didn’t pull them instantly after a mistake was made. I understand that’s how he teaches and the kids know what they are signing up for, but in this case letting them work through it on the court against those inferior teams might be more beneficial long term for the team, as a whole.

Why not let the others that are playing better play more?

 

[hoophuskee]

@Zonepress was commenting about the fans, not the coaches/team. He essentially said fans will complain regardless of the final margin in score. I agree

I was reacting to "can't win." Can't win is untrue. That was my response too. To the fans that will be hard on the team after 20/30/40 point wins. They are pretending to be coaches. You can win if you stop pretending.

 

[UConnCat]

So you think the shots were mostly missed were caused because of the others team's "in your face defense" rather than UCONN just not exuctuing along with missing open shots?

Don't agree.

They execute their offense, between Paige/Sarah/Azzi - they will get open looks. Whether they hit is another question. Additionally, Sarah can take any Big off the dribble.

Here's what I think. This team lives and dies by the perimeter jump shot. The guards are just not great at taking defenders off the dribble. Strong can do it but she tends to shoot more perimeter shots. What's worse, if the perimeter shots don't go in, there is zero chance of an offensive rebound. That's a lot of pressure to put on jump shooters. Ratchet up the pressure (defensively and mentally) in March, that's a tough way to win against good teams. Also worth pointing out that this team doesn't shoot many free throws and doesn't shoot those it does take very well.

There are 3 ways to score: jump shots, at the rim or free throws. Right now this team seems to score one way, That's a problem now and will be a bigger problem in March.

Nothing I've said in this thread hasn't been said by Geno over the years or during this season.

 

[Zonepress]

KK made 33% of her three-pointers last season (30/91). That's not terrible. She needs to shoot the 3 when she's open.

And made what was the game winner in the 2nd
Round against Syracuse

 

[Zonepress]

No it isn't.

As a fan you (not you specifically) don't have to pretend on here that you are also coaching the team.

Not one poster on here as far as I know is a coach of this UCONN team. As a result, sometimes it's okay to stop pretending that one is a coach and just enjoy some positives realizing that many of the negatives are going to be worked on by a pretty good coaching staff.

It’s a forum for comments and opinions

 

[HuskieDawg]

Why not let the others that are playing better play more?

I guess it depends on what you think the team is going to need to beat the NDs and better teams of the world. If you feel that a post player isn’t important then you have a short leash with them. If you feel you are going to need at least one of them then you have to give them some rope. My personal opinion would be we’ll have more of a need for Jana or Ice than Q or Allie.

You hear coaches all the time across a variety of sports talk about how sometimes you just have to let a player figure it out on their own in the game. In these games against inferior big east teams that may be the time to do it.

I can just about promise you both Ice and Jana are playing tight right now knowing if they make a mistake they could be pulled and that is a tough way to play when you are trying to get better, still a young player, and most likely may be struggling with some confidence.

JMO.

 

[Zarathustra]

Brilliant 1st quarter. Pretty ragged in the second half. Shooting was very cold for everyone not named Paige. The bright side: lots of tough defense. Also, Morgan Allie and Q got minutes and looked pretty good.

Paige gave up a LOT of shots to give passes to her teammates ...
the shots wouldn't go IN!!!

 

[HuskyNan]

I was reacting to "can't win." Can't win is untrue. That was my response too. To the fans that will be hard on the team after 20/30/40 point wins. They are pretending to be coaches. You can win if you stop pretending.

It’s ok. Fans have been armchair coaches for as long as there’s been organized competition. It’s what fans DO

 

[The deacon]

Is beating Providence by 40 points more important than developing young players?

Well, generally no, Nan, but since I picked the Huskies by 40, I'd have to say yes!

 

[Bigboote]

This one really baffled me. I'd understand coming out a bit sluggish after the layoff and all, but they looked like they were firing on all cylinders in the first quarter and eased up a bit with shuffling the lineup in the second. Then, BAM!, even with the starters in, the wheels just came off in the third. I'm not sure I've seen a team playing so well just completely collapse like that.

Kudos to PC for making it a game in the second half. I'm sure they upped the energy level, but that even second half is mostly on UConn.

I knew Strong was, well, strong, but that and-one in the second quarter was impressive. The opposing player had her almost wrapped up. Also, Morgan showed some strength not too long after on that three that Paige sank. Morgan screened off TWO players, one tracking Paige full-bore. I was really impressed with the strength both showed on those plays.

 

[Postie]

Before the season started Geno said Jana was going to surprise people and Ice was a Five star coming out of high school. Between the two of them they got two points today against the team Providence, we’re not one player would make the UConn roster. they use the full court press today. I guarantee you they will not use that against South Carolina. If UConn is going to win this year, it’s on the shoulders of Paige Azzi and Sarah. besides those three someone’s going to have to step up.Shade hasn’t performed well in big games against Notre Dame zero points and didn’t do much in the USC game. The team will probably be a two seed in the tournament. Unfortunately Geno is a victim of his own success. The bar is so high it’s championship or bust. well, that’s why they play the games. Maybe there will be a Cinderella ending.

 

[hoophuskee]

Here's what I think. This team lives and dies by the perimeter jump shot. The guards are just not great at taking defenders off the dribble. Strong can do it but she tends to shoot more perimeter shots. What's worse, if the perimeter shots don't go in, there is zero chance of an offensive rebound. That's a lot of pressure to put on jump shooters. Ratchet up the pressure (defensively and mentally) in March, that's a tough way to win against good teams. Also worth pointing out that this team doesn't shoot many free throws and doesn't shoot those it does take very well.

There are 3 ways to score: jump shots, at the rim or free throws. Right now this team seems to score one way, That's a problem now and will be a bigger problem in March.

Nothing I've said in this thread hasn't been said by Geno over the years or during this season.

And nothing that I said shows that Geno is swaying from not taking more perimeter shots and trying to win on the perimeter. Why do you think that is?

Sometimes you just have to put your strength against another’s and let the chips fall as they may. I see some posters on here are former coaches and speak of they had always needed inside play. Sure, but how many of these same coaches had the supposed excellence that UCONN might have? All three of Azzi/Paige/Sarah were projected to be generational in some manner or at least elite. You force the other team to stop this once you get on a roll.

For example, Azzi is being projected at a top 8 WNBA pick for a player that has played very few basketball games relatively speaking over the last 7 years. Is she really so one-dimensional that she will be incapable of making a move on her own vs other college players being the 3rd option with little chance to get better?

Last week I posted several times of Geno’s bizzarro-world comment of not getting enough inside scoring calling out Jana while only playing 6 minutes. One shouldn’t listen to what he says but instead watch what he does.

 

[UConnCat]

I'd love nothing more than to see the Azzi we saw against Ole Miss. The threat of her taking her defender off the dribble will open up space for her perimeter shot. We didn't see that Azzi today but hopefully we will once she regains her confidence. She says she feels 100% so it should be only good things going forward.

 

[ERWUC65]

If Kaitlyn keeps this up, KK is starting point guard whether she finds her shot or not.

Admittedly Chen has been a disappointment, but KK at PG is a nono. She has her role - as a defensive disruptor - but not what we need to start and direct the team. Outside of Paige and Azzi who we want at the 2 and 3, I don't see an answer there unless possibly Morgan later on - she has the basketball IQ, is a good ball handler, and most definitely has the mojo.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Don't agree. She is being left beyond being wide open.

Not sure what you mean, but I just look at the two and if neither can score I'm taking the one who won't throw the ball away. I was surprised at KK's recruitment and pretty shocked at Geno's "point guard of the future" statement last year. Recruiting and maybe the portal can get us a 6' point guard, but this program should not find itself where it is.

 

[BRS24]

There are 10 BE games/39 days between now and the Tennessee matchup. IMHO I consider the team to be young, both in age and experience. As of now, there are quite a few levels of experience, and that's what the team has to meld together. For instance, I see them as follows:

1. Most game experience, or plays like they have it - Paige, Kaitlyn, Sarah
2. A lot of game experience last year, but still young and learning - Ash & KK
3. Potential affected by injuries - Azzi (and I bet she'll be on continued min restriction, increasing over next few weeks)
4. More reps will help with processing what needs to be done, ie, less thinking, more innately doing - Ice & Q
5. Freshmen learning what D1 hoops is about - Jana, Morgan, Allie
6. Potential contributions TBD - Aubrey, Caroline
7. Out for season - Ayanna

As I posted in my a look back at lineups thread and referenced @Puppy Love"s post about continuity/senior leadership (or lack thereof), my brain hadn't coalesced around a specific theory on why things seem to be so uneven this season to date, however, maybe this is why the team has had ups and downs within a quarter, game, or season to date. Soooo many moving parts to figure out where folks belong, how they will contribute, and how they work together, and not even including matchups of opponents. Today's struggles is tomorrow's film session and practice agenda - who produced, who performed to the game plan, where are the gaps, etc, etc.

The players are just back on campus after the holiday break, post USC game. Even Geno said they were tired, and that was fine by him, as they should have time spent with family and friends, especially before the real grind begins.

This is why I am showing grace to the team, mostly with the wish that they win the game, but lesser so in regards to the MOV, or any individual stats.

 

[ERWUC65]

And made what was the game winner in the 2nd
Round against Syracuse

Maybe it's the sophomore slump, because she is now shooting 7%

 

[hoophuskee]

Not sure what you mean, but I just look at the two and if neither can score I'm taking the one who won't throw the ball away. I was surprised at KK's recruitment and pretty shocked at Geno's "point guard of the future" statement last year. Recruiting and maybe the portal can get us a 6' point guard, but this program should not find itself where it is.

KK has only hit one 3 all season. Right now I like Chen's ability to score more. But okay - KK's passing is better (and better defensively). The thing is though Chen was not a natural pg but game-in and game-out she works toward being one.

It seems for the time being KK has given up shooting th basketball other than lauyps. If she gives up shooting like she has what is her ceiling? I prefer the player that keeps working on all.