SCar vs UConn ( Potential ) Rematch

[GCKSFN4L]

I didn’t intend to overlook the handover but I do agree that was a major missed call and should have been caught given the magnitude and timing in the game.

That was a blown call but so was the officials lack of honoring SC's timeout that was being called prior to that pass even happening. It was two missed officiating moments for both sides.

 

[Bone Dog]

That was a blown call but so was the officials lack of honoring SC's timeout that was being called prior to that pass even happening. It was two missed officiating moments for both sides.

Lol! Somehow a missed timeout request is equivalent to a stolen possession that actually seals the game.

But I shouldn't fuss. What's some uneven officiating between friends? There's always going to be something when teams play at this level. We are the only fanbases who actually understand what being at the pinnacle means.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

Lol! Somehow a missed timeout request is equivalent to a stolen possession that actually seals the game.

But I shouldn't fuss. What's some uneven officiating between friends? There's always going to be something when teams play at this level. We are the only fanbases who actually understand what being at the pinnacle means.

Never said they were equivalent, but if the refs did their job on the timeout there wouldn't have been a chance for the pass to even happen. The first missed call led for the opportunity of the 2nd missed call is all I'm saying.

 

[Happydad745]

If Paige and Azzi were healthy all year, this match could have happened.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

UCONN played one of their best games of the season vs SC that first go-around. The downfall happened after.

In regards to Cooke, she's just a streaky scorer. Playing UCONN last year she scored 17 on 8-17 shooting while being guarded by Bueckers/Westbrook/Williams (all of whom are taller than Muhl) but has struggled the past 2 times. Vs Arkansas this year she had one of her best games of the season along with one of her worst. She's an inconsistent shooter, and if you catch her on a bad day and bait her into a lot of shots, SC becomes a lot more beatable. When she shoots well it becomes far more difficult to beat them.

Cooke can take bad shots at times and she certainly likes to take difficult ones.

She's made great strides in that area as a senior but it's hard for her to be consistent sometimes, and she does press sometimes when they aren't falling.

But she's one of the more underrated players in the country honestly at this point.

I think UConn played the best game I've seen them play this year against us at home.

I do not see them shooting 50% from the field again in the ncaa tournament. But power to them if they do.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Cooke can take bad shots at times and she certainly likes to take difficult ones.

She's made great strides in that area as a senior but it's hard for her to be consistent sometimes, and she does press sometimes when they aren't falling.

But she's one of the more underrated players in the country honestly at this point.

I think UConn played the best game I've seen them play this year against us at home.

I do not see them shooting 50% from the field again in the ncaa tournament. But power to them if they do.

You didn’t watch man UConn games if you think 50% from the field is impressive. I thought it was a top 5 game of the season but they certainly looked better when they were healthy than they did against South Carolina. Their terrible February tanked their percentages but previous to that they had the highest field goal and three point percentage in the country. Fudd return opens up the floor enough that they can get closer to where they were.

 

[Blueballer]

Rematch? Sure. Let's just save it for the NC game again.

 

[visitingcock]

Rematch? Sure. Let's just save it for the NC game again.

Works for me

 

[HuskyNan]

You didn’t watch man UConn games if you think 50% from the field is impressive. I thought it was a top 5 game of the season but they certainly looked better when they were healthy than they did against South Carolina. Their terrible February tanked their percentages but previous to that they had the highest field goal and three point percentage in the country. Fudd return opens up the floor enough that they can get closer to where they were.

Still #3 in FG%

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Still #3 in FG%

View attachment 84979

Even more reason to not be surprised if they shoot .9% over their season average from the field in the tournament. Thank you.

 

[genzhusk]

They had the same advantages last game and only managed to only win by 4 during UConn’s worst stretch of basketball in a decade.

Cooke’s shooting is largely determined by the defenses she is playing. She’s not Caitlyn Clark. The reason she shot poorly against UConn was because she was defended by a taller quicker defender in Muhl. You add Azzi and Aubrey to the mix of defenders you can put on her and it won’t be a surprise to me if it’s another poor shooting outing for Cooke. She’s just not big enough to shoot over our backcourt and they are all (minus Lou) defensively sound enough to stay in front of her.

Respectfully, Nika Muhl is not quicker than Zia Cooke. Aubrey Griffin at 6'1 was guarding Zia in the last game. Aubrey on Zia was a good coaching call because of speed.

 

[visitingcock]

Well folks, looks like we can't meet again until the championship game.

Let's do it.

 

[azfan]

If they were to face each other again, if SC plays their best and UConn plays their best...SC wins.

This is South Carolina's year.

Much like the 4-year domination by the Huskies no one, including UConn, can challenge the Gamecocks. While it's unlikely the two teams will meet in the tournament I would guess the margin of victory by the Gamecocks would be double digits.

 

[MSSportsGuy]

There is much basketball to be played by both teams before a rematch can occur. In 1999 I didn't expect UT to lose in the E8 and I definitely didn't think 13 Baylor would fall in the S16 to Louisville. My point being as good as those dominant teams were they still came up short.

I think SC is on a mission they could well accomplish. They have the depth, experience, size and check pretty much every box of a great team. They are no doubt the favorite and for a good reason.

UConn has a lot of weapons too and if CD and Fudd are healthy then it makes defending UConn much tougher. I still think SC would have the edge but the talent gap would be significantly smaller.

I hope we have a fun tournament with a lot of great basketball to watch.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

This is South Carolina's year.

Much like the 4-year domination by the Huskies no one, including UConn, can challenge the Gamecocks. While it's unlikely the two teams will meet in the tournament I would guess the margin of victory by the Gamecocks would be double digits.

South Carolina has been in 2 overtime games this year and won 3 other games by single digits. Contrast to that 2016 Uconn, their closest game was a 10 point victory over #3 Notre Dame that year and they beatn #2 South Carolina by 12 @ South Carolina. South Carolina has been challenged in a bunch of games this year. They only beat UConn by 4 without UConn's best player and a key rotational player out. They went to overtime with Ole Miss. South Carolina is the best team in the country this year but they are no where close to the dominance of past UConn teams who would beat their closest competition by double digits, not get taken into overtime.

 

[azfan]

South Carolina has been in 2 overtime games this year and won 3 other games by single digits. Contrast to that 2016 Uconn, their closest game was a 10 point victory over #3 Notre Dame that year and they beatn #2 South Carolina by 12 @ South Carolina. South Carolina has been challenged in a bunch of games this year. They only beat UConn by 4 without UConn's best player and a key rotational player out. They went to overtime with Ole Miss. South Carolina is the best team in the country this year but they are no where close to the dominance of past UConn teams who would beat their closest competition by double digits, not get taken into overtime.

Much like the 4-year domination. . .

Gamecocks, like previous dominant WBB squads is the presumptive national champ this year. Undefeated and Clearly on the road to the NC!

 

[hoophuskee]

I love teams that play together for a long time. The comment in the movie “Miracle” Imo is appropriate that all-star teams don’t work. With that said, I have to reluctantly go with SC. UCONN just hasn’t had enough time with Fudd being the super player and Caroline healthy in a groove etc. For UCONN to win everything would need to break perfectly. Possible but if you ask right now, I’d say SC.

On the flip side, SC’s defense never would have seen a team like UCONN in which there are two off-the-charts wings that are elite shooter/scorers combined with two bigs that can shoot well on the perimeter along with even Nika Muhl shoots over 37% from 3 which is very good. The better the perimeter game, the better the chance we don’t have to see as much the two-headed monster of Boston/Cardoso – then put Amihere at the 3, wow. But to limit this lineup UCON’s offense needs to be impeccable. Without a full season to work that, imo it’s a tough task in which at this point I think SC wins.

 

[sharris25]

I love teams that play together for a long time. The comment in the movie “Miracle” Imo is appropriate that all-star teams don’t work. With that said, I have to reluctantly go with SC. UCONN just hasn’t had enough time with Fudd being the super player and Caroline healthy in a groove etc. For UCONN to win everything would need to break perfectly. Possible but if you ask right now, I’d say SC.

On the flip side, SC’s defense never would have seen a team like UCONN in which there are two off-the-charts wings that are elite shooter/scorers combined with two bigs that can shoot well on the perimeter along with even Nika Muhl shoots over 37% from 3 which is very good. The better the perimeter game, the better the chance we don’t have to see as much the two-headed monster of Boston/Cardoso – then put Amihere at the 3, wow. But to limit this lineup UCON’s offense needs to be impeccable. Without a full season to work that, imo it’s a tough task in which at this point I think SC wins.

This same South Carolina team shut down Arkansas two years ago when they could put 4 elite shooters on the wing, Dungee et. al. I know a team can have great shooters, but South Carolina's 3pt fg defense is the best in the country, therefore they are able to run you off that three line and then they back that up with the #1 shot blocking team in the country. They have beat Uconn with a heathy Beuckers and three additional wnba past Uconn players including a really good big. Healthy or not they would still be favored. They played a very subpar game if you look at their year long stat earlier against Uconn at Uconn with 15,000 fans pushing the huskies on and still won. SC would look forward to playing Uconn again and feel very comfortable about their position.

 

[AzzisBraids]

Dawn and her staff had a good game plan. Cut off the head of the snake by taking Nika Muhl out of her flow. Once Raven Johnson started her denial the offense stalled and they could not get into a flow. It was a lot of one-on-one, ball got stuck on the one side of the floor.

Then Cardoso came in and Boston came alive down the stretch. South Carolina wins and puts away most of their games in the 3rd and 4th quarter.

UConn was missing its best second half player in Azzi Fudd. Remember the Iowa game where she was asleep in the first half then started target range practice in the second. Or NC state where she scored 22 in the first or her key treys late in that Texas game to close the final door.

Her ability to shoot alone will attract attention and she can score in bunches. If UConn and South Carolina meet this time around the deciding factor will be how many 3pt shots UConn can make for the Huskies and how much SC can control the paint for the Gamecocks.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

This same South Carolina team shut down Arkansas two years ago when they could put 4 elite shooters on the wing, Dungee et. al. I know a team can have great shooters, but South Carolina's 3pt fg defense is the best in the country, therefore they are able to run you off that three line and then they back that up with the #1 shot blocking team in the country. They have beat Uconn with a heathy Beuckers and three additional wnba past Uconn players including a really good big. Healthy or not they would still be favored. They played a very subpar game if you look at their year long stat earlier against Uconn at Uconn with 15,000 fans pushing the huskies on and still won. SC would look forward to playing Uconn again and feel very comfortable about their position.

You can’t run Fudd and Lou off the three point line because their midrange games are elite. I’d also say this UConn team is superior to last years with Paige when Azzi is healthy. The pieces didn’t fit last year like they do this year imo.

Saying things like “ we played our worst game of the season” isn’t making the point you think it is. You guys struggled to defend UConn without Ducharme and Fudd. It’s our highest point total since January. Marquette and Georgetown defended UConn better than South Carolina did. It’s not because South Carolina isn’t a better team than UConn, they are. It’s because UConn is a bad match up for South Carolina style wise. They play contrasting styles which can make games interesting. Stanford and South Carolina play similar styles. Marquette and Georgetown are bad match ups for UConn.

All that being said, both UConn and South Carolina have very difficult roads in front of them if they want to meet again. UConn has struggled more with the unranked teams this year than the ranked ones which makes the first few rounds difficult. Both of their brackets are filled with teams that can be bad match ups for them. I’d be pleasantly surprised if we met again in the National Championship game.

 

[hoophuskee]

This same South Carolina team shut down Arkansas two years ago when they could put 4 elite shooters on the wing, Dungee et. al. I know a team can have great shooters, but South Carolina's 3pt fg defense is the best in the country, therefore they are able to run you off that three line and then they back that up with the #1 shot blocking team in the country. They have beat Uconn with a heathy Beuckers and three additional wnba past Uconn players including a really good big. Healthy or not they would still be favored. They played a very subpar game if you look at their year long stat earlier against Uconn at Uconn with 15,000 fans pushing the huskies on and still won. SC would look forward to playing Uconn again and feel very comfortable about their position.

First off, I said SC would win. Therefore, their defense would be good enough.

Secondly, don't take this the wrong way but by the comedic fact that you are cherry-picking 2 year ago vs this year's early version of UCONN is such craziness. It's like a UCONN fan talking about how Missouri took down SC last year and I think they didn't have one of their top players-- as if that has an iota of relevance-- is the same lunacy.

We can all cherry-pick games such as 2 years ago the UCONN team you reference had a barn-burner that barely beat Tennessee. Now cherry-picking this year - the Tennessee team UCONN played the Huskies practically embarrassed them on National TV without their superstar yet this Tennessee team made the Finals in your tournament. You see how we can cherry-pick games?

I'm putting you on ignore. IMO it's a complete wrong to compare Arkansas vs the early season UCONN team in which The Secretary of Defense Texas coach lauded how phenom Fudd was and how bad UCONN crushed a very good Duke team in which kara preceded to rip her team, and the complete annihilation of NC State. Your mention that because Ark beat arguably the 2nd worst team of UCONN in the past 15 years (taking into account how great UCONN was early this year) as if it has an iota of relevance is crazy.

There was zero senior leadership on that UCONN team. SO don’t take it the wrong way but imo you are way off base. I just can't believe your mentioning a cherry-picked Ark game. IMO it's so wrong I need to step away from that point. IMO you are grossly undervaluing how tremendous this early season UCONN team was. I won't be able to convince you so there is no point to continue this comparison.

 

[visitingcock]

@sharris25
@hoophuskee

Please both dial it back a smidge so this thread doesn't become an endangered species. Maybe not engage each other? I enjoy both of you being in the thread, but maybe ignore each other?

But it is, of course, your choice.

 

[azfan]

@sharris25
@hoophuskee

Please both dial it back a smidge so this thread doesn't become an endangered species. Maybe not engage each other? I enjoy both of you being in the thread, but maybe ignore each other?

But it is, of course, your choice.

Amen and thanks!

 

[Bone Dog]

Well, I’m hoping for a rematch. It will be the most interesting game of the year. I doubt Dawn will have the same game plan if Azzi is playing. Maybe have Raven face guard Azzi and have Brea cover Lou and see if Zia can disrupt Nika’s game. A lot will depend on Zia finding her shot if the paint is left unpacked.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Well, I’m hoping for a rematch. It will be the most interesting game of the year. I doubt Dawn will have the same game plan if Azzi is playing. Maybe have Raven face guard Azzi and have Brea cover Lou and see if Zia can disrupt Nika’s game. A lot will depend on Zia finding her shot if the paint is left unpacked.

Not sure you want Raven Johnson on Azzi- Azzi would be able to shoot over her and post her up. If UConn plays a predominately plays a line-up of Lou, Nika, Azzi, Dorka, and Aaliyah they lose imo. Beal shuts down Azzi, Johnson Shuts down Nika and Cooke stays on Lou. Then you're a relying on the front court to outscore South Carolina's which imo isn't going to happen. In this scenario Dawn forces Lou/Aaliyah/Dorka to initiate the offense.

If I were Dawn the game plan would be to aggressively pressure the guards and force Aaliyah and Dorka to beat them down low by denying them the ball around the perimeter. That is slightly harder to do with Azzi back because 1) its an extra guard you have to face guard the whole time and 2) Unlike Nika she is an elite 3 level scorer with size so over denying and pressuring her could lead to some easy baskets. This should effectively win South Carolina the game though as they have the athleticism and bodies to effectively disrupt our offense.

Another option Dawn has is having Boston guard Aaliyah and make Dorka have to beat Cardosa or Saxon from the perimeter and driving to the basket. Thats would I would do if I were Dawn and think it could be a nightmare for our offense.

However, there are some tactical move Geno can make to force Dawn to make some adjustments herself - which she is excellent at making btw - but could change the game from last match up.

1- Play Aubrey over Nika and have Fudd run the offense. This gives UConn some interesting match up opportunties on both sides of the ball. South Carolina can either take their best defender off of Azzi and hope Cooke or Johnson can shut her down despite give up 3-4 inches. Or they put Cooke or Johnson on Aubrey who would be a big mismatch height and speed wise for them and hope we can't take advantage. OR they take Cooke or Johnson out and put Amihere on Aubrey which has its own trade offs on the other side of the floor.

2 - Press. South Carolina doesn't average very many turnovers but if UConn can bring their press back from the grave and keep South Carolina from setting up their offense or even playing half court defense at all that could be a big. They don't even need to necessarily turn South Carolina over a bunch- just throw their offense out of rhythm and disrupt what they want to. It also could force them to play a smaller line-up which could be advantageous due to the potential mismatches above.

It would be interesting if we met again. For that to happen though Azzi would have to return to November/December form and Aaliyah and Lou to January form and those are a LOT of ifs.