SI: Post Players Set to Take Spotlight (incl. Azura)

[Orangutan]

Five post players who could impact women's tourney

Sports Illustrated preview article on the NCAA tournament. Posits that post players will be the dominant forces in the NCAA tournament. Not sure I'm quite buying that but a decent read nonetheless.

Focuses on Miss St.'s McCowan, Baylor's Brown, A'ja, and Azura.

 

[Bama fan]

Five post players who could impact women's tourney

Sports Illustrated preview article on the NCAA tournament. Posits that post players will be the dominant forces in the NCAA tournament. Not sure I'm quite buying that but a decent read nonetheless.

Focuses on Miss St.'s McCowan, Baylor's Brown, A'ja, and Azura.

Thanks ,Pongo. Interesting reading.

 

[JoePgh]

This is a very good article. What I found interesting is that SI was able to get Geno to comment on all four of the players that they discussed. From the detail in his comments, it's obvious that he has watched a lot of film and done a lot of thinking about how to deal with Brown, McCowan, and even Brown+Cox. He was careful in the article to confine his comments to what WON'T work ("If the game gets to be a slugfest, we're not going to win that"), and not tip his hand as to what UConn WILL do against Baylor or Mississippi State.

About Azura, he said that she needs to block or at least alter more shots, and develop more of the defensive mentality that Stewie had. He said Azura has the length but not the bulk of the other players being discussed; hence the "slugfest" comment.

As a fan, I derive comfort from the fact that Geno's brain has obviously been at work on how to play against Brown, Cox, and McCowan.

 

[Charliebball]

Azura has received multiple kudos for her AAC performance and rightfully so.................now let's see where she stacks up against some big time post players................keeping my fingers crossed because she will be needed

 

[bags27]

Geno on Z: "As she has gotten more comfortable, we are a much different team."

This is just what we all hoped and thought in November. And now, with nearly two weeks' practice between the last couple of games where Z really showed that, indeed, UConn is a much different team with her in, and the beginning of the NCAA's, I'm eager to see how this begins to play out next weekend.

 

[HopJim]

Azura has received multiple kudos for her AAC performance and rightfully so.......now let's see where she stacks up against some big time post players......keeping my fingers crossed because she will be needed

As the Baylor and Texas "big time post players" went up against each other, they at times struggled. Likely fatigue an issue but also looked like they had little experience playing against 6'6". Not too many out there they can practice against and it seemed to make them think a bit more. Suspect Z will be huge in playoffs.

 

[eebmg]

So who is the 5th post? I only count 4 in the article.

 

[Orangutan]

So who is the 5th post? I only count 4 in the article.

There's a passing reference to Mercedes Russell in the article. Maybe it's her? I'm think there's likely a photo or a infographic in the print edition that will make it clearer.

 

[eebmg]

There's a passing reference to Mercedes Russell in the article. Maybe it's her? I'm think there's likely a photo or a infographic in the print edition that will make it clearer.

Oh I see, it does not say positive impact.

 

[Bear11]

As the Baylor and Texas "big time post players" went up against each other, they at times struggled. Likely fatigue an issue but also looked like they had little experience playing against 6'6". Not too many out there they can practice against and it seemed to make them think a bit more. Suspect Z will be huge in playoffs.

This is true of the Texas posts, but the Baylor bigs had no trouble with Texas, even though they were the center of attention.

 

[cbraarj]

McCowan had 10pts and 8 rb against Uconn. For her height that is not a good game. I have not seen Wilson hit the outside shots consistent basis or kick the ball out when double teamed. Azura hits her shots and rebounds like she has the last few weeks. She will be fine.