SC Postgame Thread

[BobbyJ]

So Fudd is such a liability on defense she had to sit because SC went after her? Auriemma and Dailey did not feel she could step up to the challenge? Or is she really as limited laterally as this game and the Arkansas one seem to indicate? And is her inability to get open at this level further indication that she may just be compromised athletically? This is not high school or AAU.
Now in fairness, she has played four games, and this is nothing but bar talk IMO until she has played far more than four games, but with the hype attached to her commitment, these seemingly fundamental issues are a bit surprising.

I question that too. She gives ground almost all the way to the low block or into the paint instead of sliding 45 degrees laterally to cut off the penetration.

 

[Skeets]

Some post game thoughts:

1. in gymnastics it's called amplitude. UCOON played 1Q with real good amplitude, had bounce in their steps. Started to wane in 2Q. Disappeared in the second half.

2. AE play the most horrific first 3 or 4 minutes to start the game. I screamed at the TV for Geno to take her out. He did (probably not because of me). AE played a little better when she came back in.

3. Bad no-calls on obvious SC charging fouls, but that didn't change the final outcome.

4. Bad foul on Paige when her arm barely brushed an SC defender (who took an obvious flop backwards), but that didn't change the final outcome either.

5. I'm a big believer in Azzi, but she wasn't moving or shooting on offense. Her zero stat line pretty much tells the story. She looked like a high school kid out on the court with 9 D1 elite players. More is expected of Azzi.

6. the zone looked like it was working at least OK. Geno should have switched back and forth between the man to man and the zone just to confuse things, but what do I know?

7. what gives with the rebounding? Does UCONN realize when the ball goes up that they need to look to rebound. They played like it's "not my job".

 

[Gus Mahler]

Honestly, I thought it was more the case that SC players were simply forcing their way to the basket by bodying Dorka & Aaliyah out of the way. When I saw Mir fight for position, body up Amihere and come down with the rebound, I immediately thought of Gabby, and wondered why our Bigs, other than Liv, were getting pushed around.

I've only watched about half the replay but that was certainly my initial take also.

 

[Vowelguy]

Not sure how one concludes that ONO was "great." ONO is the starting center on the team that was out rebounded 42 to 25. She pulled down just five rebounds total, while fouling four times in 34 minutes. The opposing team pulled down nearly as many offensive boards as UConn had total rebounds- 19 to 25. And ONO was the leader of the front court, which together scored just14 points. That's not "great."

You can take that up with Geno since he was very pleased with her performance.

 

[CocoHusky]

She didn't have any surgery, Bueckers did.

Thanks for posting this. I know I'm getting old but I did not remember Nika having surgery last year.

 

[oldude]

You can take that up with Geno since he was very pleased with her performance.

Geno also stated of Liv, “We need to get her some help.”

 

[Soxx]

Joe Vasily(sp?) is right there with Dee.
After the Paige joke foul, I lost count of the number of times Boston moved around on offense with her forearm leading the way.

I’ve been waiting for someone to comment on Boston’s clear-out shoved down low. I kept waiting for an O-foul call. Same shoves on other games by other players get whistled.

 

[Cuango]

I read all the posts. Interesting. Thanks to everyone.

I watched Geno’s postgame press conference. I admire him, but I was disappointed by what he said today. I wish he would take some responsibility.

But when he says that South Carolina hasn’t won the NC yet, I believe him. UConn had a good first half. It will take a lot of work, but UConn can beat South Carolina. And if they don’t, it will be interesting to see them try. It’s the drama of sports.

Were we listening to the same thing? I thought I clearly heard him say that the coaches needed to “fix” those things that are “fixable”. I’m not sure what you need to see from him? Perhaps sobbing apologetically, offering his resignation? I too agree that something needs to change but displaying panic after the fourth game of the season might not be the best approach to effecting that change.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

I was hoping to see some unconventional periodic zone today because SC isn't the best 3 pt shooting team. Of course, everyone says it's hard to rebound out of it, BUT so is playing man to man at this point. I also think all that chasing...wore the team down by the 4th quarter. I'll be interested in the next few games to see who plays where. Personally, I would like to see AE play the 5 against bigger teams and Liv the 4. I hope Piath starts to get a few minutes during CONFERENCE play. She doesn't need to score a lot of points. Get the defensive rebound so the other team doesn't get double digit second possessions which get turned into points.

There's plenty of offense on this team. Defense should be the focus. You will know it's been addressed when you can answer the question..."What's the Team's identity?" Not there yet. It's coming.

 

[Viet Vet]

I’ve been waiting for someone to comment on Boston’s clear-out shoved down low. I kept waiting for an O-foul call. Same shoves on other games by other players get whistled.

 

[Conndog]

Do you ever get the feeling that when Geno lost the Boston sweepstakes he could see maybe the glory days were in the past? We have gone three years without a dominant big while other teams are loading up. Is it that the bigs don’t see UConn anymore as a friendly place?

Why would they? Their function for UConn is to stay high and pass to others or set picks, not to bang down low.

 

[Vowelguy]

Were we listening to the same thing? I thought I clearly heard him say that the coaches needed to “fix” those things that are “fixable”. I’m not sure what you need to see from him? Perhaps sobbing apologetically, offering his resignation? I too agree that something needs to change but displaying panic after the fourth game of the season might not be the best approach to effecting that change.

Also said that HE needed to do a better job at getting Azzi open.

 

[Centerstream]

Correct. I would say CW & EW are sub-par defenders. They're usually slow to react and never crash the boards. If CW & EW doesnt score points, they are basically a liability out there, especially against good guard play.

I could be wrong but from what I can recall from last season, Christyn shut down the opposing team's leading scorer on more than one occasion last season. I am thinking Nova for sure.

 

[TCC Kid]

Some thoughts on the SC game:

• Round 1 is in the books and while it’s clear that UConn is not quite at SC’s level yet. I will remind BY naysayers that in his 37 years as UConn’s HC, Geno’s teams always improve as the season progresses. Round 2 – January 27 – Columbia, SC.
• This was a really competitive game between two great teams for 3 qtrs. The Huskies lost their poise in the 4th qtr and SC finished strong.
• Paige wasting no time today, looking for her shot from the very start of the game, as well as dropping several beautiful dimes when SC rotated a second defender to stop her penetration.
• Evina started off strong as well but faded some as the game went on, before reappearing again in the 4th qtr.
• Liv’s 1st qtr was as good as I have ever seen her play, and she played well throughout the game. She needs more help from Aaliyah and Dorka.
• SC crashing the offensive boards in waves reminds me so much of Pat Summit’s Lady Vols in their heyday. Ultimately UConn was unable to overcome SC's rebounding advantage.
• Interesting time for Mir to get her first PT of the season. Obviously, those minutes would have been Aubrey’s minutes if she were healthy.
• The refs clearly made a conscious decision to swallow their whistles today, particularly on charging calls.

I'm as disappointed as anyone on this board. I've seen Geno UP and I've seen Geno Down. He isn't down. Re-adjusting, you bet. In a previous thread I alluded to Geno putting in one of his sitting 6 5 players. I've thought this in the past and I was terribly wrong. They weren't ready. The question is how ready are Geno other post players. I was minimally disappointed with Dorka, but she did score and she did rebound but what kid her size is going to go toe to toe with Boston and live to tell about it. Olivia, her best game ever. As Carnac says--(I changed the numbers) wait until GAME 10 the let us talk..

 

[Viet Vet]

Also said that HE needed to do a better job at getting Azzi open.

Azzi may be a great spot-up shooter, but she has shown little ability to create her shot, and defensively......UGH.

 

[baggerbob]

Olivia had 6 points (3-4), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 blocks, and 2 steals against the #1 team with the #1 front court. She’s taken a lot of heat for not showing up in big games but she shouldn’t today.

Anyone that thinks Liv or any other post player should have been scoring at will against Aliyah Boston, Laeticia Amihere, and Kamila Cardosa is fooling themselves. That is a formidable frontcourt.

Liv was ok, but as a senior has to be a lot better. Does anyone think a senior Stewie or Tuck playing that way is acceptable? This is Uconn, the standard is higher then at other schools.

 

[TCC Kid]

Also said that HE needed to do a better job at getting Azzi open.

Vowel--I've played a game once 70 years ago with the square ball--but I don't remember it being the Coaches job of getting a shooter open. Yes, plays at times are needed but a shooter finds the opening and shoots. That is what makes Paige Paige. Azzi, can and will get her own opening before game 10. The two guards of SC that gave Uconn fits found openings. Boston, is a big mobile back stop with Cardoza in with her--size counts.

 

[hoophuskee]

Uh...,yeah, yeah, that’s the ticket...

Damn I missed game had to work- recorded it -hoping for a lot of fun - so much for that! Yikes!! You and others were right - whoa -did we take a whoopin' or what? Looks like Boston was a beast as many of you predicted. Damn. . .

 

[TCC Kid]

Liv was ok, but as a senior has to be a lot better. Does anyone think a senior Stewie or Tuck playing that way is acceptable? This is Uconn, the standard is higher then at other schools.

Olivia is light years away from her first Uconn game. She's a senior, how much more can or will she improve. She needs help and I'm sure Geno will provide it.

 

[Vowelguy]

Vowel--I've played a game once 70 years ago with the square ball--but I don't remember it being the Coaches job of getting a shooter open. Yes, plays at times are needed but a shooter finds the opening and shoots. That is what makes Paige Paige. Azzi, can and will get her own opening before game 10. The two guards of SC that gave Uconn fits found openings. Boston, is a big mobile back stop with Cardoza in with her--size counts.

Take it up with Geno.

 

[CocoHusky]

I don’t think I can remember a UConn player that has been unrelentingly criticized as much as ONO! It’s just unbelievable and unfair as well Imo. Is she as good as Boston? No, but that is not her fault! Call me when you can say she’s not trying! Let’s hear your observations about how she’s lazy, mails it in, demonstrates a “lack of effort” . Has it occurred to any of the Liv haters out there that this is what she is capable of? Just because she was recruited by and plays at UConn does not mean she can perform beyond her talent level! As long as I feel she is trying to play hard, that’s good enough for me and should be for any UConn fan.

It is not hate to point out that Liv has not improved as expected. That is the expectation for EVERY UCONN WBB player. Nobody is asking her to be better than Boston, many are fairly asking her to be a better version of herself with each new season and that is not happening. Liv said and did all the right things over this summer. It is time to stop talking about effort and start talking about results.

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[bantamlaker]

Also said that HE needed to do a better job at getting Azzi open.

Do you think he’ll be open to suggestions from the BY?

 

[oldude]

Liv was ok, but as a senior has to be a lot better. Does anyone think a senior Stewie or Tuck playing that way is acceptable? This is Uconn, the standard is higher then at other schools.

Liv is not Stewie or Tuck. It’s a little unfair to compare her to one of the best players in the history of WBB as well as to one of the best power forwards to ever play at UConn.

The one and only thing that UConn really needs from Liv is to have the confidence to take and make open mid-range jumpers. Last year she knocked down a couple against SC, forcing Boston to come out on her. This year she took one, missed it and never took another.

 

[Centerstream]

Liv was ok, but as a senior has to be a lot better. Does anyone think a senior Stewie or Tuck playing that way is acceptable? This is Uconn, the standard is higher then at other schools.

Liv is doing fine. EXCEPT she is not living up to the BY's expectations. She is not Stewie or Morgan or Kiah or Stef except in the minds of some BYers, she should be.

 

[Happydad745]

Azzi reminds a little of KML...the 3 point shot is pretty close, but KML had trouble getting open when she was pressed by a defender. She did have Stewie and the gang for a couple years, so getting open was easier.

 

[CocoHusky]

Liv is doing fine. EXCEPT she is not living up to the BY's expectations. She is not Stewie or Morgan or Kiah or Stef except in the minds of some BYers.

I'm pretty sure positive BYers are not confusing Liv with Stewie or Morgan or Kiah or Stef.

 

[oldude]

Do you think he’ll be open to suggestions from the BY?

Damn, we should have run the picket fence at SC….

 

[cbraarj]

First of all I said this last year second I’m a Aubrey fan who doesn’t care if she’s an All American. Nor do I not need her to score to see her impact on the floor. But yes you can clearly see her energy and hustle is missing out there. I really enjoyed your comment about something you don’t know about. And last year she was 6th or 7th rotation and right now she should be 6th right now because Azzi and Dorka is not UConn ready yet

She is a huge liability on offense still!

 

[TeamFirst!]

Muhl has played 32 minutes in 4 games, 6 in the last 2. Minnesota was 13 minutes, primarily after the game was over. The only meaningful stretch of time she got was the 4th quarter of Arkansas and she did her job, nothing more, nothing less. She probably will never impress people who judge players by highlight films but I still think she is best equipped to bring some things this program lacks.

I my opinion, it's only a matter of time for Nika to be replaced even more in the rotation, unless there are some injuries. Her best option is to start hitting 3 pointers consistently because there can be a role for that. Rather than detail it isn't it clear we need an upgrade to win this thing.

 

[Centerstream]

I'm pretty sure positive BYers are not confusing Liv with Stewie or Morgan or Kiah or Stef.

Based on the post I was replying to, I got the impression that they were implying that Liv should be held to the same standards of some former players.