Providence Postgame Thread

[Huskee11]

UConn teams have hardly ever incurred shot clock violations, but we had a couple against Providence and a few other close calls.

Why? Players, especially KK, passing up open shots.

And, players driving to the basket and getting stuck 5-8 feet from the hoop, looking desperately to pass. Paige is capable of hitting a pull up jumper, and sometimes Shade, but no one else seems to be looking for it. I know they practice it, I have seen it in pregame warmups. Why are they so hesitant to pull the trigger?

There were plenty of missed open shots in the second half and on a normal shooting game UConn could have easily gone for 80. But even the open shots were a bit more difficult because many did not seem to come within any offensive flow. Things always flowed better when Nika was on the floor, she is definitely missed.

 

[Ozimoto]

Not the most aesthetically pleasing game for sure. However, the point at this part of the season is to develop and improve. This is one of the steps in that journey. We'll see how it looks in March. At this point there is a long road ahead.

The backside of the press needs some work. A couple of times when the press got broken, Jana and Ice were caught out of position. That, I think, is one of the reasons their minutes were limited. Geno does not tolerate defensive mistakes. To me, it looked like Morgan was charged with playing at the high post position as a facilitator and as such, was not looking to score. Geno may be grooming her and Sarah as the "big" tandem in his smaller, four guard line up.

 

[WiseWillie]

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.

In the postgame presser, Geno said that he used a lot of players in the press and that the press takes a lot of energy. He said the tired legs and energy spent on the press affected the offense

Interesting. "Tired legs and energy in pressing defense" is the reason given for all the shuffling? Hmmm. That's a Pinocchio plus 10. They just came off a long break and they are less than 23 years of age. I ran marathons at age 55 and he is trying to tell me that maybe a 5-10 second burst of energy several times in a press throughout a game is going to take out the legs of a 19-23 year old who should be in the best shape of their lives? Affected the offense? Come on, Geno. Say what the real problem is. Play was flat in the second half mostly when Paige wasn't on the floor or when she was wasn't taking shots and players were shuffled in and out because you are frustrated that this team hasn't shown you what you expected by this time and you are still trying to find the right mixture and formula that you know will be needed against any of the top 10 teams. We are all hoping you find what you are looking for in January during the BE schedule.

 

[Jeff in CT]

In my opinion, for what it's worth, this game was an embarrassment for the Huskies. Take away the first quarter and this is a four point game, against a mediocre team at best. Six Huskies with a combined 118 minutes of playing time contributed a combined 15 points.
That's just not going to get it done. A NC is nothing but a pipe dream at this point.

 

[Zarathustra]

I have praised Chen in the past, but in this game in particular I found her performance to be very lackluster. At only point in the 3rd quarter, of UConn's 8 TOs, Chen had 4 of them. I don't think it is a skill issue, I think she is rushing/forcing too much.

I don't really like seeing excuses for the poor performance today.

I must make a comment about the play in the third quarter when
Kaitlyn moved "in", got into a defensive position, and TOOK ONE
FOR THE TEAM, on a tremendous OFFENSIVE FOUL CHARGE against
a Providence player "thundering" down the lane. Ms. Chen was
pancaked, but got up.... eventually. WELL DONE, Kaitlyn!!

 

[PacoSwede]

My thoughts:
1. Nika graduating has disrupted both the offense and the defense. I think some floundering is to be expected with a new point guard, but if this team is going to go deep in March, then someone will have to step up and take leadership and accountability. I’m not talking about scoring. Someone has to set the tone of ‘this is who we are’. It could be Sarah, but it’s a lot to ask of a freshman. I really believe Nika set the tone last year. I was hoping it would be Ashlynn, but I haven’t seen it yet. I keep thinking that it should be Paige, but she doesn’t seem to have that kind of temperament.

after finally finishing this thread this is the only post (i think) that brought up my key takeaway from the game. with the copious number of posters grumbling about the team's flaws in an easy win being debated, nika repeatedly came to my mind.

this team sorely misses what nika provided. for a kid who was regularly denigrated, she from early in her freshman year was the player who made the team better when she was on the court.

some of us -- nika defenders -- recognized it early, and geno himself admitted it was so. she had an undefinable talent to inspire the team's play. she contributed energy, intensity, a never-accept-defeat attitude and, maybe, joy. belief in themselves.

these intangibles somehow rubbed off on her teammates. vitally, it's what the current team lacks. it's rare to find someone like nika. i was hoping paige could replace her, but she just doesn't have nika's magic even though her talent is supreme.

i thought ashlynn or kk might fill the void, and morgan could. if anyone steps up, all the problems cited in this thread would be on the way to resolution. if not, it with be a tougher trip to a NC -- uconn's done it before with a gem like nika.

 

[Zarathustra]

Thanks. I knew who he meant and decided not to correct the spelling of her last name. I just didn't know what his "turn into Anna Makurat" was referring to. Maybe because I wasn't disappointed by her playing career at UConn???

I enjoyed ANNA. Loved the highlight reels of her passing (especially the
one in the DePaul ? game, back over her head) Anyone recall that one??

 

[BBallF]

KK has improved from last year in that she keeps the offense moving. This year she has far, far fewer drives in the lane for a layup where she gets shut down by a big resulting in a turnover. Instead she drives and kicks the ball out. Occasionally she’ll drive all the way and score. Additionally, KK does not pick up her dribble. She does have to work on her mid range and 3 pointers. Her defense is excellent.

Just think how difficult she would be to defend if she shot a 10-12 foot pull up. She can beat anyone with her first step. I agree that she is not getting lost in the lane as much as last year but she has to be able to be threat to score other than with a lay up.

 

[Zarathustra]

Interesting. "Tired legs and energy in pressing defense" is the reason given for all the shuffling? Hmmm. That's a Pinocchio plus 10. They just came off a long break and they are less than 23 years of age. I ran marathons at age 55 and he is trying to tell me that maybe a 5-10 second burst of energy several times in a press throughout a game is going to take out the legs of a 19-23 year old who should be in the best shape of their lives? Affected the offense? Come on, Geno. Say what the real problem is. Play was flat in the second half mostly when Paige wasn't on the floor or when she was wasn't taking shots and players were shuffled in and out because you are frustrated that this team hasn't shown you what you expected by this time and you are still trying to find the right mixture and formula that you know will be needed against any of the top 10 teams. We are all hoping you find what you are looking for in January during the BE schedule.

I must agree with HUSKY NAN. When GENO made that comment in the
post-game presser the "lightbulb" lite up for me. I ran varsity XC track in
college, running distances is (IMHO) different sport than sustaining
frenetic defensive pressure. I was in the best shape of my life and
when we switched to doing wind sprint repetitions... well... there was
a lot of heavy beathing ... by the whole team. It is basically the difference
between Aerobic Exercise and Anaerobic Exercise. They overlap, but
you do get the idea?

 

[HuskyNan]

Interesting. "Tired legs and energy in pressing defense" is the reason given for all the shuffling? Hmmm. That's a Pinocchio plus 10. They just came off a long break and they are less than 23 years of age. I ran marathons at age 55 and he is trying to tell me that maybe a 5-10 second burst of energy several times in a press throughout a game is going to take out the legs of a 19-23 year old who should be in the best shape of their lives? Affected the offense? Come on, Geno. Say what the real problem is. Play was flat in the second half mostly when Paige wasn't on the floor or when she was wasn't taking shots and players were shuffled in and out because you are frustrated that this team hasn't shown you what you expected by this time and you are still trying to find the right mixture and formula that you know will be needed against any of the top 10 teams. We are all hoping you find what you are looking for in January during the BE schedule.

I love when people sitting on their easy chair watching the game dismiss the idea that anyone younger than them could have tired legs. Tell me, do you run marathons during the holidays after you've stuffed yourself with turkey, cookies, and Christmas sweets? Did your competition play a physical defense against you and push you around? How do you change your mindset from hanging out with friends and family for a few days to attack mode for your competition?

Fans scream for Geno to give players X,Y, and Z more playing time and when he does, the inexperienced players are not up to whatever standards fans have set for them. Then fans scream that Geno shouldn't be playing X,Y, and Z because the product on the court is too ugly for them. Missed shots, disrupted chemistry, spotty defense - what did people expect?

This isn't the WNBA, these players aren't pros, and the bulk of the available players are young, just teenagers. Every single year since I've been on the Boneyard, people complain about the quality of play right after the holidays. Players aren't robots - Geno doesn't wind them up, install their programs, and let them loose on the court. Why do people expect perfection from the get go? I will never understand it

 

[my2cents]

I have read all the comments and now have PTSD.
When open shots don't go in, we look terrible, the coaching sucks and UConn basketball has gone back to 1984.
When we make shots, everything is great.
This game, we had long stretches when Fudd, Strong, and Shade couldn't make a basket. Let's hope that trend doesn't persist.
As for our bigs, when offensively they contribute so little, when they foul and don't rebound, they sit. Develop their weaknesses during practices, not games.
Chen is too deferential and needs to shoot more when she penetrates.
Celli is too deferential too.
My top 5 right now, KK, Bueckers, Celli ( she disrupts a lot) Fudd and Strong.

 

[ERWUC65]

UConn teams have hardly ever incurred shot clock violations, but we had a couple against Providence and a few other close calls.

Why? Players, especially KK, passing up open shots.

And, players driving to the basket and getting stuck 5-8 feet from the hoop, looking desperately to pass. Paige is capable of hitting a pull up jumper, and sometimes Shade, but no one else seems to be looking for it. I know they practice it, I have seen it in pregame warmups. Why are they so hesitant to pull the trigger?

There were plenty of missed open shots in the second half and on a normal shooting game UConn could have easily gone for 80. But even the open shots were a bit more difficult because many did not seem to come within any offensive flow. Things always flowed better when Nika was on the floor, she is definitely missed.

Looks like we are all going to have to develop some patience. Especially on offense. Right now, the opposition knows they don't have to cover our bigs, so they can double team and press our guards on the perimeter. Some of that will go away when Azzi is fully back and Geno decides who will run the team from point guard. The lack of offensive flow and questionable shooting is due to the indecision of whether to shoot or pass from everyone not named Sarah, Paige or Azzi. I expect Geno knows what he is going to get out of Ash and KK with the remaining question marks being Kaitlyn and Morgan, who seem to have the ability for more going forward.

 

[hoophuskee]

Don't tell that to Dawn Staley, who built a stellar record through Aja Wilson, Alileah Boston, and Camilla Cardoza.

Dawn has already been told. Dawn's team was the team I was referring to who got beat by Iowa. Dawn's team outrebounded Iowa 46 to 22 and still lost. Dawn's team had moree offensive rebounds than Iowa had total rebounds and still lost. What big move did Dawn make the follwoing year? She got Paopao, a big-time 3pt shooter, along with much improved other shooters.

And in Dawn's 1st title year, she played small ball that won a title so bringing up Wilson is opposite vs what you are trying to say.

The George Mikan era of hoop is dead. Welcome aboard the modern era of hoop where Balance is much more important.

 

[Bigboote]

after finally finishing this thread this is the only post (i think) that brought up my key takeaway from the game. with the copious number of posters grumbling about the team's flaws in an easy win being debated, nika repeatedly came to my mind.

this team sorely misses what nika provided. for a kid who was regularly denigrated, she from early in her freshman year was the player who made the team better when she was on the court.

some of us -- nika defenders -- recognized it early, and geno himself admitted it was so. she had an undefinable talent to inspire the team's play. she contributed energy, intensity, a never-accept-defeat attitude and, maybe, joy. belief in themselves.

these intangibles somehow rubbed off on her teammates. vitally, it's what the current team lacks. it's rare to find someone like nika. i was hoping paige could replace her, but she just doesn't have nika's magic even though her talent is supreme.

i thought ashlynn or kk might fill the void, and morgan could. if anyone steps up, all the problems cited in this thread would be on the way to resolution. if not, it with be a tougher trip to a NC -- uconn's done it before with a gem like nika.

Geno once said (quoted from memory), “Nika thinks she can do anything, and she convinces the kids around her that they can do anything too.” That’s a rare gift.

 

[hoophuskee]

I think we’d all care if KK went 1-10 because that is not helpful to the overall team offense or her confidence. She does need to shoot when wide open, but for whatever the reasons may be her shot has not improved at all since her frosh year.

That said she needs to find what she can do for us offensively similar To what we watched as Nika’s game evolved. KK is so darn quick she should be working her way towards the basket for layups, getting fouled or kicking to an open teammate. That I believe is where she can make her mark right now on the offensive side of the ball.

Loooks like we disagree on nearly everything and how we want to see the game played.

 

[WiseWillie]

after finally finishing this thread this is the only post (i think) that brought up my key takeaway from the game. with the copious number of posters grumbling about the team's flaws in an easy win being debated, nika repeatedly came to my mind.

this team sorely misses what nika provided. for a kid who was regularly denigrated, she from early in her freshman year was the player who made the team better when she was on the court.

some of us -- nika defenders -- recognized it early, and geno himself admitted it was so. she had an undefinable talent to inspire the team's play. she contributed energy, intensity, a never-accept-defeat attitude and, maybe, joy. belief in themselves.

these intangibles somehow rubbed off on her teammates. vitally, it's what the current team lacks. it's rare to find someone like nika. i was hoping paige could replace her, but she just doesn't have nika's magic even though her talent is supreme.

i thought ashlynn or kk might fill the void, and morgan could. if anyone steps up, all the problems cited in this thread would be on the way to resolution. if not, it with be a tougher trip to a NC -- uconn's done it before with a gem like nika.

The "Nika Mentality" and in-your-face toughness does not exist on this team. An ex-ivy leaguer at PG may have skills but not the kind of grit that Nika had. KK provides energy and bounce but lacks the leadership qualities to set the tone.

Who else could fill that role? Paige or Azzi could if they had a different personality. No, there's no one right now that fits the mold of a Nika or for that matter a Hildalgo, Miles, JuJu or similar. It will be something that might develop but right now Geno and the coaching staff realize we are in January and at this point they expected to have everything pretty much solidified.

Right now Geno and staff looks to be still in the "testing phase" trying to find the right team chemistry. During the January BE "sojourn" is where they can experiment even though "experimenting" should have been over by now. Unfortunately, it would be great if the competition was stiffer but it is what it is. This coaching staff surely has the experience and know-how. Now all they need is the right formula of consistency and toughness to get this team as many W's as possible and the Div I highest ranking leading into March.

 

[HuskyNan]

The "Nika Mentality" and in-your-face toughness does not exist on this team. An ex-ivy leaguer at PG may have skills but not the kind of grit that Nika had. KK provides energy and bounce but lacks the leadership qualities to set the tone.

Who else could fill that role? Paige or Azzi could if they had a different personality. No, there's no one right now that fits the mold of a Nika or for that matter a Hildalgo, Miles, JuJu or similar. It will be something that might develop but right now Geno and the coaching staff realize we are in January and at this point they expected to have everything pretty much solidified.

Right now Geno and staff looks to be still in the "testing phase" trying to find the right team chemistry. During the January BE "sojourn" is where they can experiment even though "experimenting" should have been over by now. Unfortunately, it would be great if the competition was stiffer but it is what it is. This coaching staff surely has the experience and know-how. Now all they need is the right formula of consistency and toughness to get this team as many W's as possible and the Div I highest ranking leading into March.

If Jana could get out of her head and direct her emotions outwards instead of inwards, she could be the big dog the team needs. For now, KK is bringing the energy and aggressiveness but she, too, needs to stop thinking so much about her offense and just play. That could be said about the entire team, honestly.

 

[WiseWillie]

I love when people sitting on their easy chair watching the game dismiss the idea that anyone younger than them could have tired legs. Tell me, do you run marathons during the holidays after you've stuffed yourself with turkey, cookies, and Christmas sweets? Did your competition play a physical defense against you and push you around? How do you change your mindset from hanging out with friends and family for a few days to attack mode for your competition?

Fans scream for Geno to give players X,Y, and Z more playing time and when he does, the inexperienced players are not up to whatever standards fans have set for them. Then fans scream that Geno shouldn't be playing X,Y, and Z because the product on the court is too ugly for them. Missed shots, disrupted chemistry, spotty defense - what did people expect?

This isn't the WNBA, these players aren't pros, and the bulk of the available players are young, just teenagers. Every single year since I've been on the Boneyard, people complain about the quality of play right after the holidays. Players aren't robots - Geno doesn't wind them up, install their programs, and let them loose on the court. Why do people expect perfection from the get go? I will never understand it

Hold on there, HuskyNan. I'll grant that you may be correct on many of your points but I need to set the record straight here.

I do not sit in an easy chair watching the games.

In fact I was watching this game while exercising on a treadmill and stationary bike to take off all the calories of turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and cookies. Now I'll be watching the Marquette game the same way after all the New Year Day festivities! I encourage all Boneyarders to try it. You might like it. Afterwards you can put your feet up sitting in your easy chair and watch Geno in the presser.

 

[Martin84]

I enjoyed ANNA. Loved the highlight reels of her passing (especially the
one in the DePaul ? game, back over her head) Anyone recall that one??

Yes!! She had great vision and a knack for making sweet passes. I also remember her being a 3 point specialist and passing up way too many shots.

 

[Longtime fan]

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!!!

I thought this performance was a chaotic mess. Pretty much what one would expect after a lengthy holiday break. I think Chen had one of her worst games. She is not dependable as a shooter, and doesn't shoot often. KK is in the same category at the moment, though a more disruptive force. It took a while for Sarah to gear up, and the other two freshmen couldn't buy a bucket. ASH had one of those starts where she misses her first shot and that is the end of her day. Jana and ICE scare me. I just don't think they are going to emerge ( I must be wrong ). But I see, by March, four guards and Sarah on the floor most of the time. Not sure AZZI will ever go 6-6 again.

 

[Geno-ista]

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!!!

Nice analysis- I actually love being able to Bring KK off the bench vs starting. I’ll bet that becomes the norm. She’s like Diara coming off the bench for our men the last two years or Rashaad Anderson for the men yrs ago. I think We are better when she’s on the court. I like Her changing the game late in the 1st or in 2nd qtr. and I like Her having fresher legs in the 2nd half. Aubrey really bolsters defense and f court press & pressure defense.

 

[hookshot]

I love when people sitting on their easy chair watching the game dismiss the idea that anyone younger than them could have tired legs. Tell me, do you run marathons during the holidays after you've stuffed yourself with turkey, cookies, and Christmas sweets? Did your competition play a physical defense against you and push you around? How do you change your mindset from hanging out with friends and family for a few days to attack mode for your competition?

Fans scream for Geno to give players X,Y, and Z more playing time and when he does, the inexperienced players are not up to whatever standards fans have set for them. Then fans scream that Geno shouldn't be playing X,Y, and Z because the product on the court is too ugly for them. Missed shots, disrupted chemistry, spotty defense - what did people expect?

This isn't the WNBA, these players aren't pros, and the bulk of the available players are young, just teenagers. Every single year since I've been on the Boneyard, people complain about the quality of play right after the holidays. Players aren't robots - Geno doesn't wind them up, install their programs, and let them loose on the court. Why do people expect perfection from the get go? I will never understand it

Way back in my CYO coaching days, I used to dread the immediately pending holiday season games, the kids were always out of focus in a way no amount of coaching could fix; some things don't change

 

[Longtime fan]

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.

She keeps missing " bunnies" and doesn't work the ball quickly for a shot.

 

[VA Huskie]

His leash would be longer with Jana and/or Ice if they stayed mentally present after mistakes. That's the problem he has with them. They make a mistake, lose their focus and then a mental mistake follows. Geno has no patience for that. He'll tolerate physical mistakes by his players as long as they keep their head in the game.

Quadruple like on this comment. You hit the nail on the head. People seem to think players only develop with playing time. But the reality is they spend much more time in practice. It’s a combination of the two.