Providence Postgame Thread | Page 4 | The Boneyard

Providence Postgame Thread

Sloppy blow-out; kinda an oxymoron isn’t it? Yes, sloppy, lots of turnovers, fouls, etc. But a blowout nonetheless and it is hard to complain when you win by a huge margin.

That said, no way that I am going to be watching another second of it on a replay feed!
 
EricLA said:
We'll just have to agree to disagree, and Geno does as well. Q1 was the first minutes, literally, without KK and we won it 30-7, so is that really the excuse for the game? If that really was the issue, I'd have expected Q1 to be 22-18 or something. Even Geno disagrees. Postgame with Meg he said:
  • Q1 was great. but the TO's were not good.
  • Said Sarah should have shot the ball every time she touched it because when she didn't, she turned it over.
  • He said that when we looked good (Q1), we looked really really good. And for a lot of the game we were dysfunctional. He did acknowledge that when you take out a primary ball handler, things can look "wonky"
  • Said "I think we can get a lot better - things to work on".
So I'd get it if people on here were like "well it looks like we aren't a NC caliber team". But that's not what I'm saying, for sure. I just think it was a lackluster game. Something to be concerned about? Hell no. But things to work on in the new year? For sure.

And Geno didn't say it, well he did a little bit, credit to PC. I think they have a good coach and are on the right track. They play really disruptive defense, and if they add a few more quality players, they could be a staple near the top of the BE...
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I’m not exactly sure what it is we’re agreeing to disagree about. UConn was playing without their starting pg, which Geno acknowledged. In the 1st qtr, without KK, UConn had 6 turnovers, 2 of which were by Allie, in the 1st start of her career. Yes, they put up 30 pts as they hit their 3’s. But they played a sloppy game throughout, which I think had much more to do with KK’s absence and the inability to practice without her.

There were 2 games back in 2017-18 when Crystal, who was playing pg, was out injured. Kia Nurse, who had played pg on the Canadian national team took over. UConn was undefeated, ranked #1 and had 3 veteran AA’s in Lou, Pheesa & Gabby. They won both games, but the overall execution left a lot to be desired, and the game against UCF was not very pretty.
 
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oldude said:
I’m not exactly sure what it is we’re agreeing to disagree about. UConn was playing without their starting pg, which Geno acknowledged. In the 1st qtr, without KK, UConn had 6 turnovers, 2 of which were by Allie, in the 1st start of her career. Yes, they put up 30 pts as they hit their 3’s. But they played a sloppy game throughout, which I think had much more to do with KK’s absence and the inability to practice without her.

There were 2 games back in 2017-18 when Crystal, who was playing pg, was out injured. Kia Nurse, who had played pg on the Canadian national team took over. UConn was undefeated, ranked #1 and had 3 veteran AA’s in Lou, Pheesa & Gabby. They won both games, but the overall execution left a lot to be desired, and the game against UCF was not very pretty.
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Geno also acknowledged that there was some sloppy play, that the team often looked dysfunctional, that Sarah had issues with TO's (this is not the first game BTW), and that they had some things to work on.

My point is that not every game will be a thing of beauty, and not every post after each game is going to be glowing and cheerleading. It's ok to criticize some things about the play. Pretty sure it's not sacrilege. 😉

BTW I just want to add that KK "only" averages 25 MPG. I'm pretty sure that UConn has played some great offense and defense even with her on the bench. Q's 2, 3, and 4 were average by UConn's standards. I'm pretty sure there should be more stretches even without KK that the team looks really crisp. I'm not willing to give the entire team a complete pass for the way this game was played just because KK was out.
 
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1974yankees said:
Blanca should be starting now. Not tomorrow, not next week and not next year. She is too good period.

And I don't know why people get down on Fisher everytime someone mentions she needs more minutes.

From what I have seen of Fisher, she looks ready to explode onto the scene very shortly. She drives to the basket as good as anyone on the team.

But Blanca does it all.
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I’m not down on her, but she is often out of control. She is a freshman though and has a lot of talent.
 
Vowelguy said:
For 40 years, Geno has consistently spoken about what he expects — for the team to play to a standard and not to the scoreboard. And he has noted (er yelled) when players have not lived to that standard.
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Geno didn't really yell at anyone today and came across as pretty understanding in the post-game media. I'll just leave it at that.
 
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We were up 30-7 after one quarter…and without KK. Yes we were sloppy at times. But if Geno had wanted to win by 50, he’d have just let the starters play more. Post holiday - yes. But remember, SC was only up by 12 at halftime against Providence on Sunday. We’re fine…in fact, we’re the best team in the country!
Just chill guys…
 
Vowelguy said:
For 40 years, Geno has consistently spoken about what he expects — for the team to play to a standard and not to the scoreboard. And he has noted (er yelled) when players have not lived to that standard.
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But everybody on here that posts isn't a coach for UCONN as far as I know. So why pretend? Tina Charles had to listen to Geno when he said "I want you to average a triple double at halftime." We don't have to be that extreme. It's okay to be critical but also acknowledge the greatness is okay too.

You know his postgame did it seem like he was major concerned? Fans stating "I'm concerned about Sarah's turnovers." Or .. before that "I'm concerned she's only shooting 36% from 3." Tell me -- in that interview did it look at all like he was really that concerned about much? Many of us have seen him being interviewed in which he couldn't even talk to Meg at halftime he was so mad. Or he benched Stewart and Tuck an entire 2nd half.

Instead of looking at all the negative, the 3pt shooting was spectacular. Anyone that loves the fundamentals of basketball and not just athleticism and defense, how can you not appreciate their 3pt shooting this game? In this game their EFG% was 69.3%. from 3 That's not just athleticism. That’s a fundamental of hoop that was at least beautiful to watch - that aspect. Sarah 5-7 from 3, and Allie 3-7 from 3. And Allie looks like a legit bench player. Someone on here was saying days before he or she wasn't seeing her as a core player. Doesn't she look like a core player and hasn't she grown from last year?

And the passes Blanca made and one of her scoring spin moves for someone her size and athleticism and her overall vision was spectacular to watch.

Jana while turnovers and ft shooting not good she looks so much tougher. She was 5-6 from the floor.

The fact UCONN can have 21 turnovers and still put up 90 points is pretty good. They haven't had one half that's been just single digit lead all season. That's special too.
 
victor64 said:
Husky blowout as expected. Missing 5 players certainly altered the way the route occurred.

Another strong defensive effort overshadowed by a larger than normal TO number.

The GREAT news is Sarah discovered her three point stroke. Her turnovers have to concern Geno at least a little.

The bandage on her chest indicated that K9 was less than 100%. Didn’t impact her aggressiveness.

Allie got some run at point. I would say it is a work in progress.

It looks like Geno is going to use this run of Big East games to get Jana in the condition that he wants her in.

It surprised me that with the shorter bench that Azzi and Sarah didn’t get more run.

Blanca however took advantage of her increase in minutes with a solid all around game.

From the Providence standpoint, how can you lose your top nine scorers and expect to build a foundation? To Bain’s credit, they play hard but as is the case with many BE teams, they are just overmatched.

It was KK’s first game she ever missed because of injury. I would guess that she returns with a mask quickly.
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Notable side issue; Fisher only got about 5 minutes in garbage time. It is obvious, even to the viewers, that she is 99% offensive minded. My guess is that Geno is sending a message. She wont get quality time, at key moments, until she shows defensive prowess.
 
Stagnant said:
I hope someone asks Geno in the presser why he started Allie. I don’t really understand that decision.
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My guess is so he could put Blanca and Kayleigh in together as the sparks they are off the bench. Once again, the game changed when these two entered the game in the1sr 1/4. The score went from 9-7 to 39-7. Best defense. No points scored. Game over. What I have seen is that Blanca, Kayleigh and Allie have been the 3 that complete the 8 man rotation. The team has looked best when these 2 are in with Sarah and Azzi. I love to see either KK or K9 in the game. The flow is just better.
 
msf22b said:
The boss once labeled me a contrarian, well here goes:

The starting lineup didn’t look so great with Allie and Shade as guards with Fudd
Geno also had them playing straight up, man to man offering Providence opportunities…so at the outset, the Friars stayed close.

Geno’s "line change” K9, Blanca, and El Alfi, won the game…the ball moved, shooters were open, Providence had few answers. Give Kaleigh a lot of credit, she played a masterful game…And of course the pressing D caused havoc.

Does anyone have a theory of why Geno didn’t do that (the pressing D) at the outset?

I thought…given KK’s injury…that it was an audition for Allie to see if she could blend in well with the starters…My impression is that she didn’t win any confidence points and her pairing with Shade actually (to my eyes)
lessened Ashlynn’s effectiveness as well.

Serah had some fine moments…not so much at the awkward outset, but also is yet to completely settle in...I imagine the coaching staff is a bit mystified as must she. Why is it taking so long?

Blanca missed a few that she normally makes in the first half but in the 2nd she was a complete monster…that steal and score at the buzzer was amazing…such awareness….helped by the refs adding time.

K9 for me was the essential peg around which the game revolved…my star...
Just a splendid point guard effort on both sides of the court.

There…I didn’t say a word about Sarah’s 3’s or TO’s or Azzzi’s all-around excellence.

Lastly, I thought the announcers spent too much time chatting about how great UConn was and not enough on the play…especially when it was less than beautiful BB that they were observing…but I ‘m sure they’re just bringing the potential new audience up to date…still disconcerting

Geno’s gotta know what works…just trying to feed more talent into the system…Tonight…those results were variable.

But he seems to have enough.




"
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The choice not to have the pressing D May have been because neither Kk or K9 were in the game. Totally agree about the teams play when Blanca, Kayleigh and later Jana entered the game.
 
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msf22b said:
The boss once labeled me a contrarian, well here goes:



I thought…given KK’s injury…that it was an audition for Allie to see if she could blend in well with the starters…My impression is that she didn’t win any confidence points and her pairing with Shade actually (to my eyes)
lessened Ashlynn’s effectiveness as well.
==============
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In Geno’s post game…he seemed quite satisfied with Allie’s progress and said nice things about her game….

I defer 100% to his judgement on this matter

If I was the person that several of my esteemed colleagues that I greatly admire
referred to with regard negative comments…and the effect they have on the board…I apologize…was not my intention. I actually enjoyed much of the game…Sarah and Aziz’s shooting, K9’s leadership, Blanca’s magic...

But there was Geno, shaking his head and looking like the world was coming to an end (with a 30-point lead).

In a sense, I took my cue from him...

msf22b said:
"
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Bills Fan said:
I know saying anything negative about our best player is like talking badly about the Pope in the Vatican, but 5 TO's in 23 minutes today and a recent game with 6 TO's??? What's going on ? Is she getting too comfortable and reading too many headlines? This is not the Sarah we saw all of last year and early this year.
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I suspect Geno has been stressing getting the ball to the bigs under the basket since all of them-Strong, Williams, etc. have been taking long looks (too long) prior to making bad passes. Even against the poor teams, letting them know about your intent is not a good strategy.
 
hoophuskee said:
You know his postgame did it seem like he was major concerned? Fans stating "I'm concerned about Sarah's turnovers." Or .. before that "I'm concerned she's only shooting 36% from 3." Tell me -- in that interview did it look at all like he was really that concerned about much?
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My thoughts exactly.
 
A few thoughts -
  • Players (most?) went home for Christmas. Travel can affect people. Jana got to go home (!!!!), and there's no way I could do that in a short period of time and come back and be functional, but that's me.
  • Sarah's turnovers might have been a result of the temp in the arena. I saw a few players blowing into their hands
  • IMO Geno started Allie to keep the K9/Blanca tandem intact, and also potentially see how physical the game would be before putting K9 in. There were numerous plays b/w them that were awesome, so they have great chemistry. And I think Geno has said in the past that who starts isn't a huge deal.
  • Geno has quite a bit of game tape to work with, so things will get rectified.
  • It was only Dec 31.
 
It occurs to me that I’ve heard Geno mention many times that he tells the freshman “just do what you’re good at”. It’s also my understanding that as a sophomore and above he starts placing responsibility on them along with doing what you’re good at.

Might explain slumps that many of our Sophomores go through. Even if at the same time they’re experiencing the sophomore “bump”.

Is it me or is Blanca & Kayleigh Geno’s version of platoon substation’s?
I see a couple young women on the bench that keep glancing at the clock, salivating and drooling just a bit, waiting for the 5:00 minute mark.
😎👍
 
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Can I just say that Geno can be both not concerned about the Providence game and also PO'd about the turnovers and lack of defense in the last 3 quarters at the same time. He is a complex human.

I've just read the thread and the thought that these two truths can't coexist is crazy to me.

Just like I can think that Strong is the best all around bball mind in college basketball and also think her turnovers in the last two games need to stop.
 
Was about to post this on the KK appreciation thread but realized it is more about the game as a whole so ...

While I agree with everything being said about KK and her value to the team, I think it is important to note the timing of this injury. She and Ayanna collided in the middle of practice on Tuesday which I suspect pretty well ended that practice. So they had zero chance to adapt to the new rotation prior to the game Wednesday afternoon. Allie was plugged in to the starting line-up probably during the bus trip to RI. It is not surprising that it was not a 'well oiled' operation at 3 PM. I suspect KK will be masked up by Saturday once the swelling is down and at least the rotations will be more standard, even if she is getting used to the mask.

Allie was starting her first game at Uconn.
Uconn was starting a new line-up for the first time this season.
The results were a little sloppy, but still a convincing high MOV win on the road.
The offensive output was pretty standard, the steals/TOs forced were pretty standard, the points allowed were perhaps a few more than expected, but that can happen when a team has an unusually hot streak from 3. Providence on the year hits 27.2 which includes their 42% yesterday after a 62.5% second half. Sometimes ____ happens!
The one area that was uncharacteristic was the TO, but 13 of the 21 came from post/forwards (Jana,Serah, and Sarah) the guard/wing numbers were pretty standard so I don't think this is really a reflection of KK being out, beyond just different player combinations causing a bit of confusion and a defense by providence squeezing the post players.
 
ucmiami2 said:
Was about to post this on the KK appreciation thread but realized it is more about the game as a whole so ...

While I agree with everything being said about KK and her value to the team, I think it is important to note the timing of this injury. She and Ayanna collided in the middle of practice on Tuesday which I suspect pretty well ended that practice. So they had zero chance to adapt to the new rotation prior to the game Wednesday afternoon. Allie was plugged in to the starting line-up probably during the bus trip to RI. It is not surprising that it was not a 'well oiled' operation at 3 PM. I suspect KK will be masked up by Saturday once the swelling is down and at least the rotations will be more standard, even if she is getting used to the mask.

Allie was starting her first game at Uconn.
Uconn was starting a new line-up for the first time this season.
The results were a little sloppy, but still a convincing high MOV win on the road.
The offensive output was pretty standard, the steals/TOs forced were pretty standard, the points allowed were perhaps a few more than expected, but that can happen when a team has an unusually hot streak from 3. Providence on the year hits 27.2 which includes their 42% yesterday after a 62.5% second half. Sometimes ____ happens!
The one area that was uncharacteristic was the TO, but 13 of the 21 came from post/forwards (Jana,Serah, and Sarah) the guard/wing numbers were pretty standard so I don't think this is really a reflection of KK being out, beyond just different player combinations causing a bit of confusion and a defense by providence squeezing the post players.
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Based on Aaliyah’s “bad break” during the BE tournament in 2024 and subsequent masked return for the 1st round of the Big Dance, I’m guessing we’ll see KK back on the court for the SJ game, 9 days after her injury. I would be surprised to see her for the SH game on Saturday.
 
1974yankees said:
Blanca should be starting now. Not tomorrow, not next week and not next year. She is too good period.

..'.

But Blanca does it all.
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clearly, geno wants to bring blanca off the bench (with K9) because she "does it all" as the ultimate game changer. it's the obvious, right strategy.

when nykesha sales was a highly-rated, talented frosh she was reserved for that role, subbing in for the steady, unflashy senior, pam webber. it turned out that uconn was undefeated that year.

keesh, oft overlooked today, finished her career as a starter and a 'mount rushmore' contender. blanca seems to be a successor.
 
Didn’t realize it was cold in the venue
Thought they all came down with a case of butterfingers
 
Allie has shown so much progress that coincides with her natural talent. She displays a good handle and has a crisp dribble. she has a strong left arm and on occassion has made some exquisite passes. She knows how to use her body as a shield on both offense and defense, and is an all around team player. She's doing what she's expected to do without making too many glaring errors. And she doesn't foul much. Her overall performance grade for the game was relatively high.
A lot of the UConn turnovers didn't result in points being scored by Providence.
Fisher is an impressive player to watch because of her athleticism & BB skills. She obviously wants to make an impact when she gets into a game. She may get more opportunity depending on KK's recovery timeline and circumstances. Never say never if the team ends up needing her.
 
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