Seton Hall Postgame Thread

[freshler40]

Very good thinking and analysis .. now, if we can just get Saylor some more minutes to see what we got...

Thanks for the analysis by individual player. Each has a solid role to play to fill up the puzzle. Liv has done a lot of good picks and passes lately even though her shot from outside is struggling. Why not switch with Edwards or even have Liv step back one full step to make her shot a 3 pointer. Both Liv and Edwards or Griffin need to be on the court when this is happening. Liv needs to hit a few outside to impact games early and open up the inside for drives which is our bread and butter.

We never challenged for offensive rebounds during the first half of the SH game. We also should have gone at Boston a lot more to draw fouls on her early in the SC game, not give up when she hung out down low. If we could have made a few early top of the key shots, that game would have been settled early in our favor. We actually ran good scoring plays in much of the second half. SC plays were limited to getting the ball to Boston inside. Not much else.

We need to take care of the ball better and not run down the clock to seven seconds before shooting a desperation shot. The opponent always knows the clock is running down but other than a couple of our players, we don't have a clock sense yet. Help in playing and finding a better pace of play would result in our controlling the games. All future practices should be on the clock and also whistles for walking, picks and other such turnovers. Lets cut turnovers in half!

 

[CocoHusky]

Christyn had a couple really good games back to back not long ago where she was aggressive, got to the rim and finished and was involved and made things happen. Then for no reason, she seemingly reverts back to standing around, contributing nothing and then misses a few shots and her confidence goes out the window. Surely she can see that when she attacks the rim and moves without the ball she has much better games but then she just decides to not do that sometimes?

I wouldn't say for "no reason". She was injured and missed the St John game. The St. John's Game was also where Nika played really really well for the first time. An injury and having your replacement shine are reasons. The latter is not a very good reason and I'm reserving judgement on the former for now.

 

[MD#12Fan]

No I disagree [you knew I would] but Liv at the high post is the key to our vastly improved ball movement since the TN game .. most importantly, she sets most of the screens at the high post for Paige's pull-up jumper and step back three .. of equal importance, Liv makes excellent passes from the high post to the back=door cutters .. our shooters get LOTS of wide-open shots off the high-post offense; they just need to make them .. it's not Liv's fault that Evina and CW rated a D+ for the SC game, and CW continued her dreadful play vs Seton Hall.
We need a new starting line-up sans CW, eh?

Hello again. We can do everything we are doing now in addition to the things I've mentioned without Liv camped top of the key beyond the 3-point line with a defender 8 feet off her thus clogging the middle. It's awful. Paige gets screens from basically everyone. I've described how pick and rolls can work without Liv being on top. Player on the wing screens ball on top, player on top screens ball on the wing, posts can come up and screen all positions, and players can always screen away creating a cut toward the ball. Players have to keep floor balanced. You have to have that painted area free for driving and cutting. Right now it is clogged like the GW bridge at rush hour. Help! Call Chris Christie. Help!

 

[meyers7]

Uh ... no!

Ummm who would start before her from Seton Hall?????

 

[BobbyJ]

Sports psychologist for CW?

Reading through this thread, it looks like there's plenty of them right here in the BY for her to work with.

 

[Jingo]

Ummm who would start before her from Seton Hall?????

First of all AEH who is a deadly 3-point shooter, Park-Lane, Mia Jackson, Lattimore, i.e. anybody who can make a shot...

 

[GRIFFBIFF20]

Ummm who would start before her from Seton Hall?????

It will be very interesting at the end of the season when the 1st and 2nd Team Big East Awards are handed out, to see what UCONN Players make the 1st Team (Paige is a lock, and I think Olivia is as well), and who from UCONN makes the 2nd Team (Evina and maybe CW ? ) vs. who from Seton Hall makes the 1st Team (maybe AEH, with how well she is playing) and who from Seton Hall makes the 2nd team (Mya Jackson or maybe Lauren Park-Lane)? - Thus would the Conference believe that if this proves out, that AEH is better than CW?

 

[Jingo]

It will be very interesting at the end of the season when the 1st and 2nd Team Big East Awards are handed out, to see what UCONN Players make the 1st Team (Paige is a lock, and I think Olivia is as well), and who from UCONN makes the 2nd Team (CW) vs. who from Seton Hall makes the 1st Team (maybe AEH, with how well she is playing) and who from Seton Hall makes the 2nd team (Mya Jackson or maybe Lauren Park-Lane)? - Thus would the Conference believe that if this proves out, that AEH is better than CW?

Evina?

 

[CMC'72]

The Good:

1. Bounce back game from ONO
2. Great game from EW
3. Another "Spark Plug" game from Aubrey Griffin
4. Terrific game off the bench from AE
5. Steady Game again from Paige

The Bad:

1. CW looks lost out there and maybe needs to come off the bench to send her a message
2. Nika did not have an exceptionally strong game tonight
3. UCONN has to stop with these slow starts to games.

and "The Ugly"??

 

[mattlow710]

I'd rather have Muhl in there, enough already with Christyn Williams, no more excuses .. besides they play different positions .. I'd like to try Saylor out, for her 3-point shooting, rebounding and [supposed] defense .. there's plenty of time before the tourney in March and something is better than nothing, eh?

we were so dissapointed .CW is the player who had the skill and capable to do it better
but dont know why she perfom go downside always ,she really need help from staff

and i agreed may be have few more games give mir and saylor a chance to play 15 minute+/-
see what they can do , may be will get surprise

 

[GRIFFBIFF20]

Evina?

It will be very interesting at the end of the season when the 1st and 2nd Team Big East Awards are handed out, to see what UCONN Players make the 1st Team (Paige is a lock, and I think Olivia is as well), and who from UCONN makes the 2nd Team (Evina and maybe CW ? ) vs. who from Seton Hall makes the 1st Team (maybe AEH, with how well she is playing) and who from Seton Hall makes the 2nd team (Mya Jackson or maybe Lauren Park-Lane)? - Thus would the Conference believe that if this proves out, that AEH is better than CW?

 

[RedStickHusky]

@CocoHusky I'm only watching these games twice so I guess I'm missing all this rim running you are seeing. Paige has made a couple of circus shots that I wouldn't expect anyone else to be able to hit but other than, packing the paint is the book on playing us right now and we're having trouble with it.

 

[CocoHusky]

First of all AEH who is a deadly 3-point shooter, Park-Lane, Mia Jackson, Lattimore, i.e. anybody who can make a shot...

Deadly? Where exactly has AEH been doing this deadly sniping from deep? She left Mississippi state a 36 % shooter from deep. We won't talk about how she left UCONN. Through 9 games at Seton Hall so far she shooting 43% from deep. That's good but hardly "deadly". I also won't talk about how well she shot at USA basketball because she didn't. You can go ahead and crown her if you want just make sure Steve Harvey is not officiating because she might end up having to give back that crown.

 

[RedStickHusky]

I like Liv in the post with AE low. There's a line between the foul line and the arc that shouldn't get behind. 15-18 feet she can shoot, 20+ not so much.

 

[CajunHusky]

Christyn had a couple really good games back to back not long ago where she was aggressive, got to the rim and finished and was involved and made things happen. Then for no reason, she seemingly reverts back to standing around, contributing nothing and then misses a few shots and her confidence goes out the window. Surely she can see that when she attacks the rim and moves without the ball she has much better games but then she just decides to not do that sometimes?

I would suggest an edit: "Then ... her confidence goes out the window and she seemingly reverts back to standing around, contributing nothing and then misses a few shots.

 

[jazz]

Well, Griff that is one point of view...here is another: Espinosa played all 40 minutes. UConn limited her to 15 shots and held her to 6 points below her average. Christyn only took 6 shots...maybe Espinosa had something to do with that...maybe not. More than likely either Christyn is in a funk and needs a boost to her confidence or she is injured and UConn is keeping it out of the public conversation. Since Christyn only played 25 minutes it is fair to say that Aubrey Griffin took the remainder of her minutes (23 min). Interestingly, Espinosa did not fair so well...6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block.

I think the greater message was: Seton Hall was held to 30 points below their Average; Espinosa their star was held to 6 points below hers. Geno and UConn is ranked number one in the country and Seton Hall despite winning its last 6 games is still unranked.

At the moment, I think I may have a good shot at guarding CW. I probably need a shot blocker behind me to back me up however. Oh, I will need a TV timeout ever other minute....

 

[AmeriConn]

Anybody else think SH coach Anthony Bozzella looks like Arnold Stang?

 

[Longtime fan]

The wife and I were discussing this point during the game. We believe this is a big part of CW's problems.

For too many of us, CW's first game in a UConn uniform gave us a unrealistic picture of her skills. Last year was indicative of her game. She is a streak shooter. Her best move is the drive to the bucket. Her next best move is the short pull up jumper. She is not a 3 point shooter.

Now can she be a valued contributor for the rest of the season, I hope so. She has to get right with herself. Time will tell.

All good points. I think we also set incredible expectations for recruits who arrive as the HS POY. Some, like Brianna, Paige, MKL, and Katie ( were Sue Bird and Diana in that category....how could they not be ?), shine "early and often." Williams and Megan Walker didn't really do that. Williams had " the Notre game " game debut, and a few other fine performances....but neither regularly took over a game and won it for UCONN ( not a " big " game, anyway ). So our expectations are deflated whenever a player with a HS POY resume is simply a really good player. And others, like Ionescu at Oregon or Wilson at SC add fuel to that flame. The issue now is, how does Williams return to being a solid and reliable contributor? I think there is only one way; play her and treat her with the respect she has earned.

 

[Biff]

Anybody else think SH coach Anthony Bozzella looks like Arnold Stang?View attachment 64516View attachment 64517

Actually I was thinking more like Rick Moranis.

 

[BostonBay]

CW is NOT a good 3-pt shooter, so not sure thats going to help her get out of a slump. Her form is just not great, she always seems off-balance when shooting from the outside. Instead of sitting on the perimeter, she needs to be "slashing" to the basket. That's her strength - driving to the hoop on set plays or on fast breaks. She's seems very lost if the middle is clogged & she cant get open lanes to the hoop - see last night.

 

[chrissaran]

Don't agree, Wbbfan1. Everyone always says don't look back. Can't help it. If Andra had stayed, she'd be starting instead of Christyn, and UConn would have a much more reliable 3-point shooter to take some of the pressure off Paige. If only.

 

[Carnac]

Congratulations Oldude. This thread has become one of the most popular threads in the yard. Over 10,000 views in less than 20 hours. It's the first place I and many others come to after every game. I want to read your take on the game, and what others have to say as well.

This is where we meet. No searching all over the yard, it's all here. You've really started something.

 

[Biff]

You've really started something here.

Yeah but sometimes he cheats and jumps the gun.... 🤪

 

[BobbyJ]

Anybody else think SH coach Anthony Bozzella looks like Arnold Stang?View attachment 64516View attachment 64517

"Whatta chunk o' chocolate."

 

[MooseJaw]

Just not sure how you build someone up thru public dismay.

I think you overstate Geno's response, he responded to a concern. There was no denigrating, no bashing, no threats, just the need to address the situation. We can all read into it what we may. One thing is for certain, if CW produces she will be on the court, if not someone else should be. Last year there was no real option for a replacement, this year there is. Finally we would only be kidding ourselves if we think CW does not know where things stand.

 

[Argonaut]

CW is NOT a good 3-pt shooter, so not sure thats going to help her get out of a slump. Her form is just not great, she always seems off-balance when shooting from the outside. Instead of sitting on the perimeter, she needs to be "slashing" to the basket. That's her strength - driving to the hoop on set plays or on fast breaks. She's seems very lost if the middle is clogged & she cant get open lanes to the hoop - see last night.

CW shot 43% from beyond the arc her senior year of high school. The competition is different, but the mechanics are the same. Something else is afoot...

 

[MooseJaw]

Christyn had a couple really good games back to back not long ago where she was aggressive, got to the rim and finished and was involved and made things happen. Then for no reason, she seemingly reverts back to standing around, contributing nothing and then misses a few shots and her confidence goes out the window. Surely she can see that when she attacks the rim and moves without the ball she has much better games but then she just decides to not do that sometimes?

Just maybe it's easier for you to see this than for CW to see it. I am in awe of her potential not so much her output or mental approach to the game. It appears to me that it only takes a couple of misses for her to backslide. I pray she returns to the slasher she can be if not, it's not good for the team or Christyn to be counted on.

 

[Carnac]

"Whatta chunk o' chocolate."

The "Seniors" here know who Arnold Stang was (died in 2009 at 91), but the youngsters have no clue unless they Google him.

 

[hoophuskee]

I think a bunch of the problem is the offense. We’re winning because the team as a whole is tough and gritty, more than recent teams post-Stevie. We’ve got Paige. And there are not a ton of great shooters in WCBB. I think Geno is aware that the offense is suspect but he’s preoccupied with his best player. What he does to take advantage of Paige’s talents does not always make it easy on everyone else but it has instant payoff on the scoreboard. Do you see her assists dropping. Right now he’s got Liv on top which flat out kills us (sorry Jingo) and she’s so tentative shooting from there and he’s got CW on the wing 25 feet from the hoop which also kills us and it’s hurting her game big time.
I know it’s too simple, but consider a 1-2-2 set, point, 2 wings and 2 low posts. We all know it. Posts can come out and back screen (CW cutting off it) and they can flash high post and they can come out and screen on the ball for pick and rolls.

In terms of the technical regarding which offense ot set up - I wont argue. However in terms of Paige - Paige is the best player in wcbb. If CWill can't play effectively with her - then you have to live with it.

Isiah Thomas from the Celts could not play with LeBron. You don't change LeBron to make Isiah more effective if LeBron's style is extremely effective.

Jim Calhoun once was asked about playing a big center on his team - he was from Germany-- looking to give him so minutes because the German kid wasn't going to get better sitting on the bench and Calhoun replied that he could play the kid -a nd others that were not playing much - and they would get better - or he could play the current style and try to win as many games as possible. He ended up saying I think fans want us to try to win as many games as possible.

If CWill can't play with effectively with the best player in WCBB - then she isn't that good anyway. IMO if you or others want to put her in different positions or sets - fine. But until others show they can perform with the higher volume of the ball in their hands and produce - the ball has to get into Paige's hands as much as possible in big games. Some games for example, Evina hot -- give her lots of looks too.

In regard to Paige - UCONN just beat the previous number 1 - because they couldn't stop the number 1 player in America. S.C. made their late run when the ball went away from Paige's hands. Tenn made their run when Paige was out. Until other weapons emerge- or are playing well in a big game- if they aren't then in big games - get the ball to Paige as much as possible and dare the opposing team to stop her. That's the best chance to win - as Calhoun mentioned in prior example.

 

[chrissaran]

Did Meghan actually play basketball? When Elmore backed into Aaliyah and moved her five or six feet, Meghan said that should have been over the back on Aaliyah. Aaliyah never went over Elmore's back. When Elmore backed into her, it made it look like Aaliyah went over her back. If you could do what Elmore did on every rebound, there wouldn't be any offensive rebounds.