Saniya Chong

[VAMike23]

Chong's shot may have been the biggest shot not just of the game but of the year. How about a shout out to Kia for a terrific pass to Saniya. Kia could have lowered that shoulder and taken an offensive foul but she is learning that the refs are calling that in the NCAA vs international play.

You're right - that was a gritty (and timely) drive-and-kick by Kia.

 

[msf22b]

She came in at the end of the first, and was ignored by her teammates...4 on 5

This is so factually incorrect enough to be intentional. Saniya's first two offensive possessions she did not touch the ball because MD was in a zone defense and Geno's call after a timeout was to attack the paint. First possession was penetration by Mo into the lane where she hit a short jumper and the second was paint post up by Stewie on a shot she missed. Saniya was not ignored. She touched the ball on every subsequent UCONN posession got 2 steals, 2 assists, 1 deflection, and 1 basket which sparked the UCONN run just before the half.

That was my at the game impression which I noted to my knowledgable neighbor who agreed.
The minute she made the steal, all changed, before that she seemed ignored.
Saniya's efforts changed the direction of the game on both occasions.

 

[TFintheMix]

BIG three point shot. Interesting that Geno had her in the game at that point. I wasn't sure where Saniya was on Geno's "trust" meter. Now we know.

The real question is why isn't Chong on the court more. Has she been injured? She is probably their best outside shooter after Stewy and there is no way that you can say that her wing defense is any worse than the frosh who have been getting regular run.

 

[TFintheMix]

Saniya Chong, who had missed the previous three games with an IT band injury, responded with a 3-pointer from the corner that restored the seven-point lead.

http://espn.go.com/womens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400834758

Well that answers one of my questions. Thanks.

 

[ThisJustIn]

What's clear is the only thing that is holding her back is her dang injury, not her skill or confidence. Here's to continued healing (for everyone on the team!)

 

[bschwartz]

 

[baggerbob]

You're right - that was a gritty (and timely) drive-and-kick by Kia.

That shows her team-mates have faith in her to hit the shot.

 

[EricSD]

The great thing about Saniya's shot is not only did her teammate find her with confidence, but she took the shot without hesitation and drained it. The pass came in a perfect spot and all she had to do was step to the left for a quick "feet plant" and launch it. I thought she was terrific when she was on the floor.

I'm not sure I understand the comment about her teammates ignoring her for the first few minutes - you could look at any 2 minute stretch and say "Player A, or B" was totally ignored. There are times where a few minutes go by and Stewie doesn't touch the ball either. I hardly think she's being ignored. Not knowing what the players were thinking on the court, I think it's a bit unfair to try to put the onus on them to infer that her teammates were purposefully ignoring her.

To that point, I've heard Geno say about 100 times - every player he puts on the court can score - they are taught that in practice, so the goal is to find the best open shot and take it, whether it's 5 seconds or 29 seconds into the shot clock... Saniya was wide open and Kia found her with a perfect pass. So happy for Saniya - sometimes it's one little thing that helps grow and build confidence and great play!

 

[CTyankee]

That dagger *3* was dramatic and big, but she also provided composure in our offensive sets, finding open teammates, played excellent perimeter defense (KLS had a tough night in that regard), had a steal and neat lay-up in the second quarter, etc. If she can get that darned injury behind her, she'll make us very very happy to see her back on the court. Sweet night for her . . . and us.

Well chosen words... Truly this was the dagger that sealed the win. And to the heart of Brenda it went.

 

[johnnyc]

Check out the reaction from the bench. Surprising since they usually ignore Chong.

 

[MarlboroughMike]

Three great things about this clip:
Saniya's three
Kia's pass
Tierney Lawlor's reaction

 

[Kaizen]

Three great things about this clip:
Saniya's three
Kia's pass
Tierney Lawlor's reaction

I watch the replay. At the end of 2nd Q, 2-3 mins, Chong was always at the top right corner. Ready and wild open for 3 pts. Only once Stewie passed a ball to her under the rim.

I don't think it is an "ignore" on Chong. But less communication yes.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Chong was heading back down the court when she released it... cause she knew it was the money ball

 

[HairyDog]

A GREAT 9+minutes of basketball on both ends of the court. Let's hope this nagging injury is gone and we can see more and more of the real Saniya Chong.
"Who loves ya Baby?"
As for the ease with which she moves on the court with the ball: an old friend of mine said it best about 6 years ago, she is a glider. She doesn't run with the ball but rather glides up and down the floor with the ball.

 

[easttexastrash]

Agreed that was the biggest shot of the night -- Stewie still gets Badass award tho, for how she took over and closed things out on both ends

Stewart should get the national Badass of the Month award. She's the BOMb!

 

[JavaMan]

Maybe we should be thanking Rosemary Ragle for Chong's performance last night!

Auriemma was walking by the training room shortly before the Huskies’ game against LSU. He saw Chong receiving treatment from Rosemary Ragle and knew it would not be a night that he could summon her off the bench.

It’s probably a good thing Auriemma didn’t walk by the training room shortly before the Maryland game, because Chong probably wouldn’t have played the final 5:09 of the second quarter and the final 4:46 of the game.

“It was a different technique, so while they warmed up I did a different warmup for my leg,” Chong said after contributing five points, one assist and two steals in the 10-point win over the sixth-ranked Terrapins. “I was working with Rosemary and she was doing these different massages to get me warmed up in a different way.”

[LINK] to the full story

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Saniya Chong needs to hurry up and get healthy so she can get more minutes and contribute like she did tonight in the little time she was on the floor. Thinking in my head now she's ready

Ps: Napheesa needs to get stronger and get some hands. She loses the ball too much

No rushing that IT Band Syndrome. That's why it's called a syndrome.

 

[Huskie78]

Upon further review, me thinks I will have to start calling her Saniya Ice!

 

[DaddyChoc]

I think the steal and breakaway layup were really impressive near the end of the first half (?). In contrast to Mo, it looks like Saniya's speed with the ball is pretty much effortless. She was down the door in a flash but was seemingly very calm doing it. To me, Mo is similar speed-wise but looks fast doing it and sometimes has to go 'all out' in order to finish (which she still does very well, obviously).

Chong had 2 steals (almost a 3rd) in that 2nd quarter.... the steal and lay-in was nice, she also kicked it out to Stewie for a 3 as the shot-clock was winding down. That 2nd steal she gave an assist to MoJeff for a stop and pop from about the free-throw line. Chong was a great spark... long before the dagger 3 towards the end of the game

 

[Gus Mahler]

I think the steal and breakaway layup were really impressive near the end of the first half (?). In contrast to Mo, it looks like Saniya's speed with the ball is pretty much effortless. She was down the door in a flash but was seemingly very calm doing it.

I agree. The calm, the fluidity. Quick little change of direction. Made it look easy. Perfect example of an impressive that doesn't get noticed much by the casual fan or casual announcer.

 

[xHunt3r]

The real question is why isn't Chong on the court more. Has she been injured? She is probably their best outside shooter after Stewy and there is no way that you can say that her wing defense is any worse than the frosh who have been getting regular run.

yes, she is playing and practicing the whole year with an IT band injury. The amount she can play has been limited by how much pain she is in/can put up with.