SC Postgame Thread

[npignatjr]

It's one game. Look at all the NBA playoff games where one team blows out the other one night and then comes back to win the next night. It's one game. It may well end up exactly the opposite next time. Boston is probably not going to have that level of performance against us again. They may well turn it over more as they have a propensity for it. The play that just killed us was when they flattened Paige in the 4th quarter and we didn't get the obvious call. Paige let it get to her and bungled 2 turnovers in 30 seconds. I can see how it could happen to anyone because I really thought that was an obvious foul that wasn't charged. It will be a learning lesson though now.

Guys, at this point Liv is who she is. She has worked hard and does a lot of good things on the court. Today she played about as well as she’s going to play against the massive front line of SC.

A bigger concern to me is the play of Aaliyah and Dorka. Aaliyah’s summer with the Canadian National team didn’t make her a better player. She missed out on practice and conditioning at Storrs and she didn’t play very much at all on the Olympic team.

Dorka concerns me the most. Many BY’ers thought she would challenge Liv for a starting spot. She’s done nothing to date to show that she’s capable of doing so. Today she never even looked at the basket from the 3-pt line, and after watching her through 4 games, she appears to possess limited athleticism.

Didn't UCONN out score SC by maybe 8 when Dorka was on the court and was out scored by 24 when she was not?

 

[npignatjr]

Doing fine?
Yes siree!
Two years against AAC competition- say maybe the equivalent of a P-12 level of play?
Then one year against the “NEW” Big East-maybe a P-7 level?
C’mon.

What's wrong in your observation thinking the NBE is a better women's conference than the AAC

 

[BBallF]

The refs called Paige for a push off that didn't happen, then a foul on Dorka on a all ball block. But they missed two obvious charges on SC which Paige was floored both times with a no call on both. What I hate is that every big UConn game you have Dee Kantner in the middle of it and it always seems to go the other way. I just wish she would just retire and let some of the younger refs who I believe are better than her call the games.

I also thought there was at least 1 if not 2 offensive fouls on Boston that were not called and would have put her on the bench a lot earlier with 3 fouls. They allowed body contact and hand checking away from the ball which stopped freedom of movement on offense and they didn't even know that Dorka's shot hit the rim. I think as always in big games these refs just choke. Dee Kantner is one of the worst refs I've ever seen. She always blows a different game with her whistle than the one you are watching.

 

[Urshurak]

IMHO the main reason for the lack of rebounding, especially offensive, slow, ineffectively run offense, and overall not your usual UCONN play was the previous two games back to back that took away UCONN's legs and just wore the players especially the inexperienced players out mentally and physically! They're not used to that type of action. The more experienced players have played back-to-back games but the physicality took it's toll also early in the season!
Playing such a hard fought USF game the day before took away more than we thought it would!
When they meet SOCar the end of January we will see a different UCONN team! When the schedule has it's usual space between games!
Our coaches will make sure everyone is on the same page!
Revenge will be sweeter the 2nd time around!

I’m okay with UConn losing the second one too. It’s the THIRD one I want to see them win. That would be the ultimate in sweet!

 

[bbsamjj]

I think something folks aren't speaking enough to is SC's defense. Dawn said after the game that this team has the potential to be her best defensive team ever. So yes, 4 games into the season, UConn's offense looked rocky, but that's in large part because SC scouted them well and had the ability to force the team to do things they didn't want to do. UCONN got a lot of its offense in the first half off SC turnovers; I think SC had 11 turnovers in the first half, but only 3 in the second. When they forced UCONN to play more half court offense, it caused the team fits.

As Geno said in post game, right now, SC is the better team. I think I'd also add that right now, SC defense is better than UConn offense. That's something you'd think will get better during season as team has more time to gel. But SC is also going to make just about every team look bad on offense (see NC State) to a degree, so it's more about cutting down on mistakes.

 

[TeamFirst!]

All this is small sample size noise to some degree. I do agree on Dorka though. As she settles in some she will make more shots and I love her hustle and blocking out. She is our best rebounder and I think that's pretty clear. Watch how she played Boston and overall our bigs were at least putting in the effort. If you look at their team, SC has some pretty muscular guards which helps rebounding as well ( blocking out and such especially ). Rebounding is a team effort in many ways.

 

[oldude]

Didn't UCONN out score SC by maybe 8 when Dorka was on the court and was out scored by 24 when she was not?

Dorka replaced Aaliyah so Liv & Dorka were both on the court, but It’s hard to make the case that Dorka had a greater impact than Liv in the 1st qtr when UConn raced out to a double digit lead. Liv had 3 blocks and a steal in that qtr, leading to transition baskets by the Huskies.

 

[BBallF]

I really think that we were very run down and tired. It reminded me of how we have played at times in recent Final Four games especially last year. You are not going to match SC's size so you have to run which we did great at times. Here's the problem though- when they are getting a shocking 19 offensive rebounds you aren't running. When you are throwing the ball away you aren't running. When you are beat physically and clearly tired, you ain't running.

He needs Aubrey but Azzi has to learn that if she can't play college defense she won't be out there in big games. To me, Nika and AE look like it's their freshman year. I can't understand it because it is a skill relapse so to speak. What is it with Evina in the second half? Is it intentional? A conditioning thing? Her knee? She is a different player from half to half.

Again, we have to beat this team to win it all and to do so a lot of things have to change. Right now, this is a far better team than us when we can't take advantage of our strengths because of our lack of endurance. Give them a few days off. Let this sink in and really aggravate and annoy them. I will be at the Seton Hall game. It will probably be a crush. Aubrey should be back by then to play at her father's Alma Mater.

 

[Dokey]

Didn’t SC have five more fouls called than UConn??

The refs didn’t win the game for SC. Boston did.

 

[Dokey]

Different teams require different strategies. UConn needed scorers. A non-scorer, undersized defender such as Aubrey wasn’t the answer against SC. We needed scorers on the floor in the 4th. We might still have lost in a shootout but not by 16. That 4th quarter may well be UConn’s worst in 25 years. To some degree, I am reminded of the Arizona game.

 

[The deacon]

Dorka replaced Aaliyah so Liv & Dorka were both on the court, but It’s hard to make the case that Dorka had a greater impact than Liv in the 1st qtr when UConn raced out to a double digit lead. Liv had 3 blocks and a steal in that qtr, leading to transition baskets by the Huskies.

Good morning, all... the sun did come up today, at least here in Connecticut.

Oldude, in my earlier post, and I believe in Nick's, we were not making a comparison of the relative worth of Liv and Dorka, but rather than UConn enjoyed much more success with Dorka on the court than not. You had questioned her athleticism and others had disparaged the Big Ten regarding Dorka's overall potential to help UConn.

Liv did indeed make a bunch of excellent plays in the first quarter. I was thrilled to see that! But that doesn't eliminate as a factor what Dorka brought to the court, rather complemented it.

 

[npignatjr]

Dorka replaced Aaliyah so Liv & Dorka were both on the court, but It’s hard to make the case that Dorka had a greater impact than Liv in the 1st qtr when UConn raced out to a double digit lead. Liv had 3 blocks and a steal in that qtr, leading to transition baskets by the Huskies.

She had a greater positive impact than AE.

 

[oldude]

She had a greater positive impact than AE.

Good morning, all... the sun did come up today, at least here in Connecticut.

Oldude, in my earlier post, and I believe in Nick's, we were not making a comparison of the relative worth of Liv and Dorka, but rather than UConn enjoyed much more success with Dorka on the court than not. You had questioned her athleticism and others had disparaged the Big Ten regarding Dorka's overall potential to help UConn.

Liv did indeed make a bunch of excellent plays in the first quarter. I was thrilled to see that! But that doesn't eliminate as a factor what Dorka brought to the court, rather complemented it.

She had a greater positive impact than AE.

Stats don’t always tell the complete story, but here’s a few to consider. +/- (Aaliyah-26, Liv -16, Dorka +8). So yes, by that team metric, UConn did better with Dorka on the court, although it should be pointed out that Dorka played only 16 minutes to Liv’s 34 and Aaliyah’s 21.

When we look at individual stats, Liv exceeds both Dorka & Aaliyah. But if we just compare Dorka and Aaliyah’s numbers, rebounds were equal at 3 apiece, Aaliyah outscored Dorka 6 to 2, but the most telling stats imo are fouls & turnovers. Aaliyah had 1 each. In only 16 minutes Dorka committed 3 fouls while turning the ball over 5 times.

Several of Dorka’s turnovers were awkward, getting the ball stripped from her hands or throwing a wild inbound pass after a SC made basket. It is my sincere hope that those types of miscues will disappear as Dorka gets more comfortable in UConn’s system. It may simply be the case that Dorka is trying too hard and just needs to relax and play the game.

 

[The deacon]

Stats don’t always tell the complete story, but here’s a few to consider. +/- (Aaliyah-26, Liv -16, Dorka +8). So yes, by that team metric, UConn did better with Dorka on the court, although it should be pointed out that Dorka played only 16 minutes to Liv’s 34 and Aaliyah’s 21.

When we look at individual stats, Liv exceeds both Dorka & Aaliyah. But if we just compare Dorka and Aaliyah’s numbers, rebounds were equal at 3 apiece, Aaliyah outscored Dorka 6 to 2, but the most telling stats imo are fouls & turnovers. Aaliyah had 1 each. In only 16 minutes Dorka committed 3 fouls while turning the ball over 5 times.

Several of Dorka’s turnovers were awkward, getting the ball stripped from her hands or throwing a wild inbound pass after a SC made basket. It is my sincere hope that those types of miscues will disappear as Dorka gets more comfortable in UConn’s system. It may simply be the case that Dorka is trying too hard and just needs to relax and play the game.

I'm with you, Oldude. FYI, Dorka did play either 19 or 20 minutes, depending on which box score one peruses...

Cheers!

 

[CONN78SEJ]

I also thought there was at least 1 if not 2 offensive fouls on Boston that were not called and would have put her on the bench a lot earlier with 3 fouls. They allowed body contact and hand checking away from the ball which stopped freedom of movement on offense and they didn't even know that Dorka's shot hit the rim. I think as always in big games these refs just choke. Dee Kantner is one of the worst refs I've ever seen. She always blows a different game with her whistle than the one you are watching.

Couldn’t agree more, Boston was also pushing out with her elbow and forearm trying to make space while dribbling with the other. Beal also had some offensive fouls that weren’t called.

 

[tchalla1]

The refs swallowed their whistles after calling a bunch of fouls on So Carolina. Our Aaliyah had a couple blatant charges that weren’t called. In no way did the refs contribute to the loss

I agree with what you say--after calling a lot of fouls on SC, they let things go on both sides. However, SC got more of an advantage from the refs swallowing their whistles because they were more aggressive, hacking, pulling, bumping and our team did not increase their aggressiveness... So although refs did not intentionally cause an imbalance, they indeed did...

 

[oldude]

I'm with you, Oldude. FYI, Dorka did play either 19 or 20 minutes, depending on which box score one peruses...

Cheers!

Thanks, I misread Dorka’s minutes, but the other stats are correct. Going forward, I do believe there will be competition for a starting spot, but not as many BY’ers anticipated between Liv & Dorka. I think the competition will be between Dorka and Aaliyah. Aaliyah was really effective last year coming off the bench. Maybe that’s the best role for her at this point.

 

[HopJim]

Not pleased but also not overly concerned with the SC game. Nika and Dorka appear to be injuried, Griffin will come back at some point and Edwards likely to regain her aggressiveness. Geno employed the generic UConn offense and defense as you would expect early in the year. Rather than focus on what Geno did not do, I expect him to make numerous changes later in the year including going to a match up zone as they successfully did late last year. With more experience, Geno likely to give 2 bigs majority of the playing time so the offense will be more consistent. I also expect to see more double screens between the bigs to generate more down low offense and free up the shooters. SC is very tough but many more options likely to be implemented prior to playoffs. Its early.

 

[HopJim]

Very good post, your right !

Boy, this is a tough crowd regarding ONO. She played against the top center in women's basketball and did an adequate job. Not reasonable to count on her alone to outrebound or ourscore Boston or the entire SC team. I would hope that the next time we play SC that ONO can do as good a job.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I’m okay with UConn losing the second one too. It’s the THIRD one I want to see them win. That would be the ultimate in sweet!

Urshural - I can't stand losing to Dawn Staley anytime so I hoping UCONN beats them the next 2X times they each other this season!

 

[BBallF]

Thanks, I misread Dorka’s minutes, but the other stats are correct. Going forward, I do believe there will be competition for a starting spot, but not as many BY’ers anticipated between Liv & Dorka. I think the competition will be between Dorka and Aaliyah. Aaliyah was really effective last year coming off the bench. Maybe that’s the best role for her at this point.

I agree. Dorka started the second half and I expect that to continue. Aaliyah just doesn't have the tools right now. Dorka will be much more effective with the confidence of starting and with more minutes. Aaliyah will be more under the radar as a sub.

 

[tchodgd]

View attachment 71253

Your just not going to beat low post scoring with guard scoring. Our big's have to score more.

 

[TeamFirst!]

When your opponent is playing one player at 6"5"along with another at 6'7" the better matchup did appear to be Liv and Dorka. A big part of the story is that most of the SC team was bigger. Look at their other size at forward and they had 2 big guards as well ( not the starters but 2 big sub guards who were a handful ). The Uconn blog had a great story today which detailed the main issues of that game well. It's worth the money to me to see their reporting. It's solid.

 

[Conndog]

Well, Caroline is 6'2 and a guard who reportedly can score and has all-around game. Is she going to get some more minutes to acclimate and show us what she can do? Maybe with her size we would get more rebounds too

 

[ABCDFE]

Dorka did have some timely turnovers. And from an eye test, she looks uncoordinated and clumsy on the floor. She uses her body well but her inability to hold on to the ball or have court awareness it often times a problem. There was a pass from paige that went right through her hands (for an easy 2). I'm not saying AE was better or we have someone that we should replace Dorka with, it's just what I've seen from Dorka THUS FAR against better teams has been underwhelming

 

[MSGRET]

Dorka did have some timely turnovers. And from an eye test, she looks uncoordinated and clumsy on the floor. She uses her body well but her inability to hold on to the ball or have court awareness it often times a problem. There was a pass from paige that went right through her hands (for an easy 2). I'm not saying AE was better or we have someone that we should replace Dorka with, it's just what I've seen from Dorka THUS FAR against better teams has been underwhelming

You did notice that she had tape on both of her hands, that might have been the reason why she had some problems handling the ball.

 

[visitingcock]

I’m okay with UConn losing the second one too. It’s the THIRD one I want to see them win. That would be the ultimate in sweet!

That means UConn would not be “the Evil Empire” at tip-off?

 

[Tank]

I don’t know about a possible 3rd game on a neutral court (tourney) but right now I have to say game 2 in Columbia will be a SC victory. That team isn’t likely to lose any home games this year. Oh, and they play in front of 12,000 loud fans. This place won’t handle it well either.

 

[The deacon]

You did notice that she had tape on both of her hands, that might have been the reason why she had some problems handling the ball.

Good point, MSGRET,

ABCDFE, I wonder how many players would have had any chance of catching that pass from Paige, which I'd bet Paige would admit was too high and probably too hard given their proximity. Dorka does show an awkward moment here or there, but she offers positives that shouldn't be overlooked.

 

[The deacon]

Well, Caroline is 6'2 and a guard who reportedly can score and has all-around game. Is she going to get some more minutes to acclimate and show us what she can do? Maybe with her size we would get more rebounds too

Well said, Conndog. I know Geno has a long history of not wanting to 'giving minutes,' in the words of some here. Yet it surely seems to me Caroline has length, scoring potential (more so than, for instance, Nika) and even in her short stints on-court so far, has shown an inclination to mix it up.