I agree with pretty much everything said here. But we must recognize it was also, an "off game" for this UCONN team. It was clear, from the outset, that UCONN would have to demonstrate its ability to score from the outside. Something this team usually does well. Against Baylor, however, Katie started cold as
ice ( which she has done in 2 or 3 of the last few games ). Megan did the same. And when Megan misses open shots, she loses confidence. Usually, she gets " back in the game" with easy baskets underneath, or on fast break. Against Baylor, however, there was no " underneath." And when she missed two free throws near the end of the first half, it was over for her, and we all worried she might not be be the superstar we need. It was a miracle that Katy nailed the rebound and put-back to make it a one point game.
This also left us with the delusion that UCONN was going to get it together in the second half and win the game. There was no reason on earth it should have been a one point deficit, given how terribly UCONN was shooting. A twenty year record, I am informed.
Williams was not in the game at all in the first half. The player who starred at Notre Dame had been left somewhere else, between Xmas holiday and Waco. She dished it off as quickly as she could, recognizing early that her classic drives to the basket for scores were not going to happen. Then, she put up an air ball, and that was it until too late in the game to matter. Geno saw this right away, hence the appearance of Coombs. But Coombs cannot score from the outside and cannot drive against Baylor's size. So she was never going to add anything, other than to give Coach time to talk with Williams and send Williams a message. Sadly, the message is; "we have no one who can help if you are not in the game."
Dangerfield did some good work early, and then Baylor's defense made her force her shots a bit, which were just off the mark. Pheesa had no chance inside...none. Brown is so big that even Collier's classic " fade back" jumper was blocked. And Pheesa is inconsistent from deep. ONO simply doesn't exist yet. And on it goes. Batouly is a wrecking ball who creates some damage, but knocks the china off the shelves in the process ( three fouls in how many minutes?).
So now what? On to the the AAC league games and more self-delusion. We do have some more tests in Louisville and South Carolina, I think. But there is no one with the size of Baylor. And, as I said, this was a record lousy game for UCONN, with the opponent having a lot to do with that.
So what does the future hold:
1. Williams will find the player who said " I was born for this." Against ND, it seemed that UCONN had found another superstar. And we need that desperately to win at the Big Dance. Come back, Chrystal !
2. The core three will be their usual AA selves. Worn out, maybe. But champions nonetheless.
3. Megan....I just don't know. Is she just out there because our bench is so lean? Is she playing because ...somehow...she was credentialed as the best HS player a few years ago? Is there a top player in Megan yearning to break free? If she is nothing more than she appears, we are in trouble. She does not seem a sharp shooter; she does not appear fast; she is a decent rebounder when not out-sized; she is okay at lay-ups but misses more than she should; we don't see anything of Gabby or Kia in her on defense; and if she misses free throws.
4. Olivia.....one wonders how far and how fast she can become a force. The next round of competition can create false impressions, due to the lack of quality. We have had " bigs" before who blossomed in the second year, and thereafter, but not before. If she remains where she is...2-4 minutes of nothing...this team will be vulnerable.
5. The rest of the bench ....there is no one who can be expected to " break-out" and help the team. No one who can push anyone for a starting role. Each can give starters a "breather," but no one will advance the team in a game.
6. Signing one top 40 recruit ( top 30? top 20? ) for next year is foreboding. Geno is not worried but we are.
And that is because we do not want the UCONN era to be over. We do not want this to be a window into the end of UCONN women hoops dominance. Are we seeing in Stores, Ct. what happened to the the UCLA mens Basketball program? Will the fans stay loyal if we are 15-15, and don't get invited to the NCAA in a few years time?
