Rebecca Picking ND vs Baylor Final

[Wbbfan1]

UConn has two starting players that are limited in their offensive abilities. Tiff, Stef and Bria are inconsistent in their scoring. UConn doesn't have a starting player that before a game you can say we can count on X player to get us 20 points. If X player doesn't get the 20 points then another player will pick up the scoring slack. Too many unknowns. The better teams that have turned UConn into a half court team have been able to shut the offense down as it relies to much on outside shooting and at times goes long period of time without scoring. They don't have a strong inside scoring presence in the half court set. Obviously great scoring off the bench in KML and Kiah in a limited capacity can also score against teams that don't have strong post players. UConn wins games because of its great defense and scoring transition points. Make UConn play a half court game and its offense becomes limited. IMHO this year has been one of Geno's better coaching years.

I love Bria and KML as go to players, but both need to improve their ability to drive to the basket to score points and/or get to the free throw line. Combined Bria & KML have only shot 130 free throws for an average of 4 per game. Individually they both should be able get to the Free Throw line 5 or 6 times a game. Stef and Kiah need to post up stronger, demand the ball and become physical scorers in the low post. I would like to see Stef & Kiah get to free throw line more often as well. Kelly when the scorers aren't scoring, I would like to see her take the open shots when they're available and drive to the basket to get to the free throw line. It seems we saw Kelly drive more to the basket in her first two years, then we did this year. I think Tiff has had a great year and has improved her overall game. What Tiff has not become and I didn't expect her to, was to be the go to player that will have big scoring games like Maya and the other UConn All Americans were able to. Caroline has met expectations since coming back from her injury and I hope next year, we see the same Caroline that we did in 2009/2010

BTW what is your definition of a complete team?

Still don't know what complete means, but they have been the best team.

In your opinion, what is incomplete about UConn?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

ESPN - Link

She's no homer and that's a good thing.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Would love to know what Geno says to her when they next meet!

He put her up to it ... he's pulling a mild Belicheck (sp?)/Brady right now, otherwise known as pulling a Dangerfield.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

UCONN's weaknesses have been exposed and dealt with...a scary condition for an opponent to face. No group is “always” complete…any team should be looking over its shoulder if UCONN is in the rearview mirror.

 

[doggydaddy]

UConn has two starting players that are limited in their offensive abilities. Tiff, Stef and Bria are inconsistent in their scoring.

And Baylor has 3 that are limited in their offensive abilities, Madden, Williams and Hayden.

UConn doesn't have a starting player that before a game you can say we can count on X player to get us 20 points. If X player doesn't get the 20 points then another player will pick up the scoring slack. Too many unknowns.

And Baylor has one. Most teams don't have players averaging 20 points a game. And having that doesn't make a team better than another. Baylor has 2 players in double figure scoring. UConn has 4. Sounds like less unknowns to me.

The better teams that have turned UConn into a half court team have been able to shut the offense down as it relies to much on outside shooting and at times goes long period of time without scoring.

That is true. What's interesting is that almost every team has long periods in a game without scoring. I would wager that UConn has less than most teams.

They don't have a strong inside scoring presence in the half court set.

I don't know...I think that Steph's inside scoring presence is strong. I guess we will just disagree.

Obviously great scoring off the bench in KML and Kiah in a limited capacity can also score against teams that don't have strong post players.

How did Kiah do against Duke? They don't have a strong post player?

UConn wins games because of its great defense and scoring transition points.

Yep...nothing wrong with that.

Make UConn play a half court game and its offense becomes limited.

I have seen plenty of nice half court offense. But most teams, including Baylor and ND played more limited in the half court. Baylor has Griner so she is a difference maker in the half court.

IMHO this year has been one of Geno's better coaching years.

Agreed

I love Bria and KML as go to players, but both need to improve their ability to drive to the basket to score points and/or get to the free throw line.

Looks to me like they are working on that. I think in the BE tourney, they showed that.

Combined Bria & KML have only shot 130 free throws for an average of 4 per game. Individually they both should be able get to the Free Throw line 5 or 6 times a game.

I don't know about "should", but it would be nice if they went to the line more.

Stef and Kiah need to post up stronger, demand the ball and become physical scorers in the low post. I would like to see Stef & Kiah get to free throw line more often as well.

If you don't think Steph has demanded the ball a lot in the post, then you aren't watching.

Kelly when the scorers aren't scoring, I would like to see her take the open shots when they're available and drive to the basket to get to the free throw line. It seems we saw Kelly drive more to the basket in her first two years, then we did this year.

Can't argue with this. I'm a little tired at yelling at the TV for her to shoot...lol.

I think Tiff has had a great year and has improved her overall game. What Tiff has not become and I didn't expect her to, was to be the go to player that will have big scoring games like Maya and the other UConn All Americans were able to.

Tiff has been a go to player in many games. Maybe just not enough to satisfy some.

Caroline has met expectations since coming back from her injury and I hope next year, we see the same Caroline that we did in 2009/2010

Agree

BTW what is your definition of a complete team?

I don't know what a complete team is. Maybe the 2002 team?

 

[Buzzyboy]

UConn has two starting players that are limited in their offensive abilities. Tiff, Stef and Bria are inconsistent in their scoring. UConn doesn't have a starting player that before a game you can say we can count on X player to get us 20 points. If X player doesn't get the 20 points then another player will pick up the scoring slack. Too many unknowns. The better teams that have turned UConn into a half court team have been able to shut the offense down as it relies to much on outside shooting and at times goes long period of time without scoring. They don't have a strong inside scoring presence in the half court set. Obviously great scoring off the bench in KML and Kiah in a limited capacity can also score against teams that don't have strong post players. UConn wins games because of its great defense and scoring transition points. Make UConn play a half court game and its offense becomes limited. IMHO this year has been one of Geno's better coaching years.

I love Bria and KML as go to players, but both need to improve their ability to drive to the basket to score points and/or get to the free throw line. Combined Bria & KML have only shot 130 free throws for an average of 4 per game. Individually they both should be able get to the Free Throw line 5 or 6 times a game. Stef and Kiah need to post up stronger, demand the ball and become physical scorers in the low post. I would like to see Stef & Kiah get to free throw line more often as well. Kelly when the scorers aren't scoring, I would like to see her take the open shots when they're available and drive to the basket to get to the free throw line. It seems we saw Kelly drive more to the basket in her first two years, then we did this year. I think Tiff has had a great year and has improved her overall game. What Tiff has not become and I didn't expect her to, was to be the go to player that will have big scoring games like Maya and the other UConn All Americans were able to. Caroline has met expectations since coming back from her injury and I hope next year, we see the same Caroline that we did in 2009/2010

BTW what is your definition of a complete team?

What I think is that your analysis is quite sound. If you break down the team position by position, it has serious flaws. It's a complex jigsaw puzzle, to be sure. The reality is that UConn who is (and was) very young when they played Baylor at Baylor had a substantial lead late into the game and made mental mistakes and did a little "choking" in losing to the "remarkable, impervious seasoned juggernaut" Baylor team by a few points. They later went to Notre Dame and did exactly the same thing, blowing the game at the end (with some really questionable officiating late). They lost a 3rd game by playing overtly poorly at home on Senior Night and it may have had a little to do with Senior Night when they've historically played less than stellar. The only bad loss I've seen was the beating they took at home to Notre Dame and it seems like those last two losses have been excorcised. With all these flaws and worts, the Huskies beat Stanford, gave the game to Baylor at Baylor and to Notre Dame at Notre Dame and yet the case seems to being made that they have no business even being considered to win the title this year. Maybe despite their worts, their team defense has allowed them to scare the c**p out of the top two pretenders to the championship when we played them at home. What ever it is, I think we have a pretty decent chance to be in the championship game with a shot at our 8th title, particularly if the refs continue to call those ridiculous bull in the china closet Notre Dame charges into the heart of the Huskies and other opponents defense "charges" rather than blocking or shooting fouls. Notre Dame isn't anywhere near as good as they appear on paper if the game is officiated using normal standards. When a player throws themselves into a defender, it's a charge, not a blocking foul. Thankfully they officiated correctly in the Big East title game.

 

[Wonkster]

The problem I have with Rebecca's comments is her praise for Vandy's PG Lister. She must have watched a game where she played well because she has been awful every time I have watched Vandy. Typical undersized PG... can't really do anything against defenses with big guards.

I think this kind of mistake happens a lot with broadcasters, and I've heard dumb@ss stuff like this before. My favorite was when one NCAA tounament announcer said that Khalid El-Amin was not a vocal floor leader. Every fan I was watching the game with looked at each other and said: "Whhaaaaat?"

There are some things that fans know better than the announcers.
.

 

[speedoo]

Maryland is going to beat Notre Dame.. mark it down

I don't see it. MD's defense is just not good enough, they would have to score around 100 points to beat ND and that will never happen vs. ND's defense, especially with Mallory guarding Thomas, who has never seen Big East type defense.

 

[Tonyc]

Well UConn had a growth spurt at the end of the season. Giving a beating to STJ and overcoming some really outlandish calls aganiest ND and never giving in againest ND. I think UConn wins it all this year. Heck UConn shouldve beaten Baylor earlier in the year without going to the line.

This is a more mature UConn team. Having Caroline and Tiff bring the ball up takes all the pressure off Bria and KML. Stef must stay out of foul trouble. The team must rebound like they did in the BE tourney. These are the changes that I saw that made the difference in UConns BE tourney win.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I think this kind of mistake happens a lot with broadcasters, and I've heard dumb@ss stuff like this before. My favorite was when one NCAA tounament announcer said that Khalid El-Amin was not a vocal floor leader. Every fan I was watching the game with looked at each other and said: "Whhaaaaat?"

There are some things that fans know better than the announcers.
.

I saw that and given her demeanor I think that "color piece" was assigned to her and it did not sit well with her, but she did it.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Since Rebecca has picked UConn to win in the past, I'd say she really thinks Baylor will win.

But- that doesn't mean she WANTS them to win

Or that she dismisses Geno and Co. pulling it off; but she genuinely sees BG as a force of nature.

 

[Kait14]

I don't see it. MD's defense is just not good enough, they would have to score around 100 points to beat ND and that will never happen vs. ND's defense, especially with Mallory guarding Thomas, who has never seen Big East type defense.

Sorry, but after seeing Notre Dame get beat by West Virginia only a month ago, a team who couldn't score 40 points in an entire game, I think basically anyone can beat them at this point.

 

[triaddukefan]

The problem I have with Rebecca's comments is her praise for Vandy's PG Lister. She must have watched a game where she played well because she has been awful every time I have watched Vandy. Typical undersized PG... can't really do anything against defenses with big guards.

So assuming Vandy gets by MTSU, and Duke gets by Stamford..... how do you see her matching up again Duke's 5'11 PG Chelsea Gray ?

 

[triaddukefan]

I don't see it. MD's defense is just not good enough, they would have to score around 100 points to beat ND and that will never happen vs. ND's defense, especially with Mallory guarding Thomas, who has never seen Big East type defense.

Perhaps... but what wing player has Mallory faced as talented as Thomas ??

 

[Icebear]

Maya Moore.

 

[triaddukefan]

Maya Moore.

ok.... well who is the second best wing player that Mallory has faced...

 

[speedoo]

So assuming Vandy gets by MTSU, and Duke gets by Stamford..... how do you see her matching up again Duke's 5'11 PG Chelsea Gray ?

No contest. Gray would have a huge game and Lister would have a miserable last collegiate game.

 

[speedoo]

ok.... well who is the second best wing player that Mallory has faced...

KML, Bria Hartley. Trust me, Mallory is a defensive ace.

 

[speedoo]

Sorry, but after seeing Notre Dame get beat by West Virginia only a month ago, a team who couldn't score 40 points in an entire game, I think basically anyone can beat them at this point.

So you are judging ND by their worst game this year? You could also look at their two wins over UConn and their annihilation of TN and conclude that they could beat anyone.

 

[Kait14]

So you are judging ND by their worst game this year? You could also look at their two wins over UConn and their annihilation of TN and conclude that they could beat anyone.

I know, but they showed that they are beatable and have some glaring weaknesses.. and I think Maryland will be next to do it

 

[speedoo]

I know, but they showed that they are beatable and have some glaring weaknesses.. and I think Maryland will be next to do it

"glaring weaknesses"? like what?

 

[triaddukefan]

KML, Bria Hartley. Trust me, Mallory is a defensive ace.

Thomas is a tougher matchup then either of the two you mentioned.

Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk

 

[Kait14]

"glaring weaknesses"? like what?

If you frustrate them on defense they fall apart

 

[speedoo]

Thomas is a tougher matchup then either of the two you mentioned.

Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk

Maybe, maybe not. It's not like Thomas has played against any great defenders.

 

[speedoo]

If you frustrate them on defense they fall apart

That's your opinion. If it were a glaring weakness, you would be able to support it with facts.

 

[DaddyChoc]

That's your opinion. If it were a glaring weakness, you would be able to support it with facts.

I agree...

 

[Icebear]

Defense in the ACC and defense in the Big East are two entirely different things.

 

[easttexastrash]

I don't know what a complete team is. Maybe the 2002 team

I don't know what a complete team is. Maybe the 2002 team?

I have to disagree on a couple of points.

Hayden has proven to be a reliable scorer this year, as has Williams. Hayden has improved GREATLY throughout the year, so don't underestimate her abilities. Williams has also picked up her scoring and rebound and they both play a bigger part in the offense now. Williams was a 1st team All-Big 12 selection. Williams and Hayden are not double-digit scorers, but they average 9.9 and 9, respectively. About as close to being a double-digit scorer as you can get without being in doubler digits.

Both Griner and Sims can be relied upon to bring in good offensive numbers. Sims averages 20+ a game against teams ranked in the top 15

 

[Kait14]

That's your opinion. If it were a glaring weakness, you would be able to support it with facts.

See: their losses

 

[easttexastrash]

"UConn doesn't have a starting player that before a game you can say we can count on X player to get us 20 points. If X player doesn't get the 20 points then another player will pick up the scoring slack. Too many unknowns."

"And Baylor has one. Most teams don't have players averaging 20 points a game. And having that doesn't make a team better than another. Baylor has 2 players in double figure scoring. UConn has 4. Sounds like less unknowns to me"

Sims is actually averaging more points (23.5) against teams ranked in the top 15 than BG (23.3). Baylor has two players that we know can show up with 20+ points when the game situation requires it.

Also, in the past 10 games, either Hayden or Williams have scored in double digits 9 of the 10 games, so you can rely on one of them to get double-digit scoring in each game.