So Carolina vs Miss State

[DaddyChoc]

Wow, even LaChina Robinson — one of the most congenial, conflict-averse commentators out there — took a rip at the refs, incurring the wrath of Gamecock Nation in the process:

oh, the "sixth" best shot blocker in "Clemson's" history lol

 

[SCspur]

you sure you wasnt looking down at your phone... posting a comment on the BY?

I'm pretty sure the game was over and I was walking to my car but I love the gif! Lol

 

[j66kicker]

Great win for SC! Wasn't the prettiest game but man what a fun game. I said last year that Miss State would be better this year after more time playing together and boy did they prove it.

Tonight was great because it was a tournament like environment between two very good teams playing in a CONFERENCE game that mattered.. slander the SEC, the playing style, the offenses and defenses all you want but very few places put on a show like SC does... tonight was great for the game overall and it was exactly the kind of game that should be highlighted on "Big Monday".

I really like this Miss State team, they are gritty and attack you the entire game. Good luck to the teams that have to face them in the tournament!

Great game! I'm envious - this time of year is "zzzzzzz..." in UCONN's comference.

 

[SCspur]

What is surprising to me is that the officials did such a poor job on national television and one of the them is rated as one of the best in WBB. In a game that physical, MS shot less than 10 free throws and SC shot over 20. However, if Vivians had played a to her potential I believe MS would have won handily. A team can't miss that many layups and free throws against a good team on the road and expect to win. So, in spite of the, imo, poor officiating, MS has itself to blame for the loss.

Vivians didn't necessarily play bad she just had to work for every single shot possible including that greatly contested shot by Gray. Davis and Gray made it very hard for her. If the two teams meet again I'm sure Davis and cuevas will be on the game so the same could be said for SC

 

[triaddukefan]

Surprised to see only 13,000 as the attendance. A great number..... but still thought their would have been more. Im sure a Sunday afternoon game would have done better.

Wow, even LaChina Robinson — one of the most congenial, conflict-averse commentators out there — took a rip at the refs, incurring the wrath of Gamecock Nation in the process:

Those chickenheads better watch themselves

 

[HardHatGuy#2]

A great game, questionable officiating impacting the game (again).

GCs did a GREAT job on Vivians, took her COMPLETELY out of her game. She did manage 12 points, but that was on 4-16 shooting. She was really rushing her shots, and that blown layup was telling; yeah, it was mildly contested, but there is no excuse for missing that shot at that time if you are supposed to be a Star.

I think everyone found out that MSU is for real, even though they lost. Two fewer whistles on their bigs and the outcome is different. As for USC, they owe their thanks to Gray, as nobody else outside of Wilson had a significant impact on offense.

The REAL winner in this game? UConn. Geno et al got to see both of these teams go at it without pulling punches; nether coach had anything left in their bag of tricks. This will be useful in a couple of weeks against USC, and in the Tournament if they run into either team.

 

[eebmg]

A great game, questionable officiating impacting the game (again).

GCs did a GREAT job on Vivians, took her COMPLETELY out of her game. She did manage 12 points, but that was on 4-16 shooting. She was really rushing her shots, and that blown layup was telling; yeah, it was mildly contested, but there is no excuse for missing that shot at that time if you are supposed to be a Star.

I think everyone found out that MSU is for real, even though they lost. Two fewer whistles on their bigs and the outcome is different. As for USC, they owe their thanks to Gray, as nobody else outside of Wilson had a significant impact on offense.

The REAL winner in this game? UConn. Geno et al got to see both of these teams go at it without pulling punches; nether coach had anything left in their bag of tricks. This will be useful in a couple of weeks against USC, and in the Tournament if they run into either team.

Problem is "tricks" wont beat UConn. Just elite execution as pointed out by Michele Voeple's analysis piece on espnw

Gamecocks win SEC showdown

Admittedly, neither the Gamecocks nor the Bulldogs looked Monday as if they were really quite ready to challenge UConn. The Huskies execute so much better offensively and defensively than anyone else, and that's the standard that some team is going to have to try to match -- or at least come close to -- in order to keep UConn from a fifth straight NCAA championship.

 

[Kmoney]

Surely you are not serious. Teams that have trouble scoring 70 points should not give Uconn trouble. If Uconn can't beat either of these teams they don't deserve a NC. MS did not have an outside game going tonight. That is a strong point for Uconn. Also, they will be at home and I don't think the officiating will be as one sided in favor of SC as it was tonight.

This year's UConn is not invincible. It is all about match ups and hiding your weaknesses. Geno has said as much. There are certain teams UConn should avoid. If UConn gets similar refs in the USC game as in the Tulane game, that will be trouble.

Has UConn played anyone this year that plays Defense like those two teams? I thought ND and Texas played good defense for the most part. USC and MSU are on another level.

This current UConn team, in my opinion, has 3 major weaknesses that can be exploited. They are size, depth, and fouls. All of those are related to a few players, so the chance of all 3 occurring in the same game are higher. It just can't happen against teams like USC or MSU.

In my original post, I stated theses teams would give UConn trouble. I consider a team trouble if you have to play you starters for most of the fourth quarter. I don't know why I would have to be considered not serious for that.

I love this UConn team. There has not been one game in which I didn't feel entertained or satisfied with the performance. I hope Geno can continue mask and duct tape their deficiencies all the way to the championship.

 

[DaddyChoc]

a foul... one too many cause cause doom for UConn. We need to stop looking at a MissSt/SC game and predicting UConn's outcome against them.

BUT... this is what message board are for

 

[ctfjr]

MSU is 0-5 on free throws, USC is 5-7.

I noticed that also - 2 MS players missed both foul shots near the end of the 1/2

 

[bizarro aj]

MSU is a better team then SC and when they meet in the sec tourney msu will win. SC better score more then 64 points if they want to compete with uconn. SC had trouble just taking the ball out on msu defense so how can they deal with uconns defense which is much better then MSU.

 

[todbo]

3/9 vs 21/28 from the foul line. Several close calls vs MS and few vs SC, plus a couple of egregious missed calls. Hometown reffing at its finest.

 

[warbler1055]

3/9 vs 21/28 from the foul line. Several close calls vs MS and few vs SC, plus a couple of egregious missed calls. Hometown reffing at its finest.

In most competitive games, men or women, sometime free throws decide the game. MS missed 3/9, lost the game for them.

 

[oldude]

I know there has been a lot of discussion on the refs in this game (bad calls/non-calls). With that said, I really don't believe the refs cost MS St the game. There offensive execution, particularly down the stretch, was horrible. Vivians and their point guard both failed to step up in the biggest game of the year. MS St's attempts to feed their post players were as inept as I've ever seen. Vivians unbelievably missed a layup and then forced an awkward airball with the game on the line. SC wasn't a whole lot better on offense, but they were just good enough. Absent foul trouble, I don't see either of these teams beating the Huskies.

 

[donalddoowop]

This year's UConn is not invincible. It is all about match ups and hiding your weaknesses. Geno has said as much. There are certain teams UConn should avoid. If UConn gets similar refs in the USC game as in the Tulane game, that will be trouble.

Has UConn played anyone this year that plays Defense like those two teams? I thought ND and Texas played good defense for the most part. USC and MSU are on another level.

This current UConn team, in my opinion, has 3 major weaknesses that can be exploited. They are size, depth, and fouls. All of those are related to a few players, so the chance of all 3 occurring in the same game are higher. It just can't happen against teams like USC or MSU.

In my original post, I stated theses teams would give UConn trouble. I consider a team trouble if you have to play you starters for most of the fourth quarter. I don't know why I would have to be considered not serious for that.

I love this UConn team. There has not been one game in which I didn't feel entertained or satisfied with the performance. I hope Geno can continue mask and duct tape their deficiencies all the way to the championship.

Uconn did not match up well with Baylor, Maryland, or Florida State. I know Uconn is not invincible but I believe you over estimate the defense of those two teams. Last season MS was rated as a very good defensive team and look what happened when they played Uconn. This Uconn team is just as offensively productive as last season's team. Unless Uconn gets in foul trouble, I don't believe any team will hold them under 70 points. Remember, Uconn is a very good defensive team. It is a home game and I don't see the officiating hampering them as much as it did MS last night. Florida State played really good defense and so did Baylor. As you said yourself, Uconn did not match up well with Baylor, Maryland, or Florida State but they still won and they are MUCH better now. Now knowing that, I hope they don't have to play Baylor again. Maryland weaknesses has been exposed and I believe in a rematch with FS, Uconn would play much better. I stated that you could not be serious because I believe you are overestimating both teams. Both teams are offensively challenged when they play other good teams. Scoring in the sixties won't get it done in the NCAA Tournament, imo.

 

[todbo]

In most competitive games, men or women, sometime free throws decide the game. MS missed 3/9, lost the game for them.

Yup. 33% free throws vs 75%. But 33% of 28 would have won it.

 

[Huskee11]

Agreed that size, depth, and fouls are all issues with UConn, but the greatest of these is fouls.

The first three fouls against Collier in the Tulane game were ticky-tacky at best or not fouls at all. And the calls and non-calls down the stretch of the Miss. State - South Carolina game were ludicrous.

And why on earth was an official in the Tulane game trying to engage Geno in a conversation from all the way across the court? Yeesh.

My advice to Napheesa - don`t reach in when someone else`s player is driving to the hoop. For some officals, that is an automatic foul even if you get all ball or air.

My advice to Gabby - if you don`t have inside position, we all know you can still out jump everyone for the rebound. But most officials don`t know this and will mindlessly call an "over the back" foul. So beware.

And Natalie, be careful not to breathe out there. Someone will blow a whistle and point at you.

Based upon what I have seen thus far, UConn will win it all if they can stay out of foul trouble, and Baylor presents the greatest challenge.

 

[Siestakeyfan]

The refs concern me as well, because one of the things you have to do with Coates & Wilson is step in front of them and take charges, because once they lower their heads, they can't stop, and the refs have to decide whether to call a charge or a block.

REFS are damaging women's basketball Whether this is pre-meditated, favoring the most popular, keeping games close for advertisers or just poor training ?

 

[Ukonnfan]

REFS are damaging women's basketball Whether this is pre-meditated, favoring the most popular, keeping games close for advertisers or just poor training ?

The refs made several bad calls mostly towards one team. Affected the outcome of the game. Rewatch the game; slo-mo video doesn't lie....

 

[warbler1055]

Watching SC and MS last night, clearly they have size, bench, bulk over my huskies. But I love my huskies just because we are undermanned, undersized and short bench. On any given day or game, any team can be beaten but no one will compete with more heart, more energy, more courage and more spirit than this year UConn team. I love my team !!!

 

[Kmoney]

REFS are damaging women's basketball Whether this is pre-meditated, favoring the most popular, keeping games close for advertisers or just poor training ?

I don't think refs are intentionally causing harm.

I think the game of basketball may not be able to be properly officiated any longer. Look at the NBA. You would expect they would have the best officials in the world. It sure doesn't seem like it. As you go down the pecking order the quality of officials gets worse. By the time you get to women's ncaa basketball, you are getting lower quality refs.

I would like to have a study done on this. They could start by putting cameras on the refs, so that we can see from their perspective how difficult their jobs are or how inept they are.

 

[oldude]

I think it's more than simply, "The refs are bad." The game has changed. Players are bigger, stronger and faster. Contact is a given. It is such an incredibly fine line to determine the difference between incidental contact and contact that creates an unfair advantage. The refs have an incredibly difficult job, and on occasion they are going to get it wrong. The one thing you would like to see is consistency, and even that goal is very difficult to achieve.

In the end, my admonition to any player who feels that the refs may have cost them a game as the result of one or two bad calls is, "Why did you let the refs decide the game?" That may seem unfair, but think about UConn's incredible run. How many games might have been decided by the refs, had the Huskies not made a sufficient number of plays so that the refs had no impact on the final outcome? Can anyone ever remember a game when Geno blamed a loss on the refs?

 

[CocoHusky]

Is Kaela Davis as good as Deshields?

My question is based on ESPN box score. I am at work and I cannot watch the game.

Kaela Davis can be as good & as bad as Diamond DeShields.

 

[BroadwayVa]

This year's UConn is not invincible. It is all about match ups and hiding your weaknesses. Geno has said as much. There are certain teams UConn should avoid. If UConn gets similar refs in the USC game as in the Tulane game, that will be trouble.

Has UConn played anyone this year that plays Defense like those two teams? I thought ND and Texas played good defense for the most part. USC and MSU are on another level.

This current UConn team, in my opinion, has 3 major weaknesses that can be exploited. They are size, depth, and fouls. All of those are related to a few players, so the chance of all 3 occurring in the same game are higher. It just can't happen against teams like USC or MSU.

In my original post, I stated theses teams would give UConn trouble. I consider a team trouble if you have to play you starters for most of the fourth quarter. I don't know why I would have to be considered not serious for that.

I love this UConn team. There has not been one game in which I didn't feel entertained or satisfied with the performance. I hope Geno can continue mask and duct tape their deficiencies all the way to the championship.

The weaknesses you present appear to be the same weakness--i.e.
1 or 2 bigs get in foul trouble--bench inserted--lack of mobility/talent., lack of use able size. It all comes down to 2 players --who had foul trouble
at the wrong time-- if they stay healthy, out of foul trouble--UConn has an excellent chance to go all the way. In the wrong game --foul trouble could crash this train.
At this point those weaknesses if not known by the REAl competition--they are just plain dumb -- Geno isn't masking them--he is working around them and with them.

 

[Los24]

Watching SC and MS last night, clearly they have size, bench, bulk over my huskies. But I love my huskies just because we are undermanned, undersized and short bench. On any given day or game, any team can be beaten but no one will compete with more heart, more energy, more courage and more spirit than this year UConn team. I love my team !!!

Also, everyone talks about size and bench but lets not forget that skill and execution beats those all day long.

 

[Rixxx]

Coco, you are probably right about K.Davis. I have just not seen enough of her to put her in the same conversation with DD. I guess I have yet to see her take over a game like DD did against ND. To me, K. Davis has been very unproductive most of the season. I may be wrong, but I was wondering if you had the same observations about K.Davis.

 

[donalddoowop]

I don't think refs are intentionally causing harm.

I think the game of basketball may not be able to be properly officiated any longer. Look at the NBA. You would expect they would have the best officials in the world. It sure doesn't seem like it. As you go down the pecking order the quality of officials gets worse. By the time you get to women's ncaa basketball, you are getting lower quality refs.

I would like to have a study done on this. They could start by putting cameras on the refs, so that we can see from their perspective how difficult their jobs are or how inept they are.

Officiating is not easy. However, it should be a lot easier since a third official was added. I think it is wrong to think that women's basketball gets the inferior officials. They are held to as high a standard as men are and believe me there are many, many bad male officials officiating men's basketball. I officiated women's basketball and it is not as hard to officiate as men are because the game is played below the basket and is not as fast. It is just as rough sometimes. In last nights game there were obvious fouls NOT called on SC, imo.

 

[Plebe]

Officiating is not easy. However, it should be a lot easier since a third official was added. I think it is wrong to think that women's basketball gets the inferior officials. They are held to as high a standard as men are and believe me there are many, many bad male officials officiating men's basketball. I officiated women's basketball and it is not as hard to officiate as men are because the game is played below the basket and is not as fast. It is just as rough sometimes. In last nights game there were obvious fouls NOT called on SC, imo.

I have always said, even back to when I was playing basketball in high school, that basketball is a virtually impossible sport to officiate well because there is so much contact that is (a) hard to see accurately at real-time speed, and/or (b) very borderline in terms of whether it should be called a foul. I also realized, after witnessing the intense and unrelenting verbal abuse to which referees are subjected at the hands of coaches, that it's a small miracle that any sane person wants to do it. I have officiated other sports but I have always said I'd never do basketball.

 

[BobbyJ]

I have always said, even back to when I was playing basketball in high school, that basketball is a virtually impossible sport to officiate well because there is so much contact that is (a) hard to see accurately at real-time speed, and/or (b) very borderline in terms of whether it should be called a foul. I also realized, after witnessing the intense and unrelenting verbal abuse to which referees are subjected at the hands of coaches, that it's a small miracle that any sane person wants to do it. I have officiated other sports but I have always said I'd never do basketball.

I agree. A lot of the problems for referees could be taken care of with one rule change. Coaches and players shouldn't be allowed to open their mouth to an official. Why allow it? I've never seen an official reverse a judgment call after a coach or player screamed at them. If a coach wants to question a rule, they can use one of their timeouts to do it. That would eliminate the stupid back and forth so the officials can do their job.

 

[donalddoowop]

I have always said, even back to when I was playing basketball in high school, that basketball is a virtually impossible sport to officiate well because there is so much contact that is (a) hard to see accurately at real-time speed, and/or (b) very borderline in terms of whether it should be called a foul. I also realized, after witnessing the intense and unrelenting verbal abuse to which referees are subjected at the hands of coaches, that it's a small miracle that any sane person wants to do it. I have officiated other sports but I have always said I'd never do basketball.

The attitudes of coaches, players, and fans are the main reasons I stopped officiating. The attitudes and the politics. It was not so much about how good an official was that got them the prestigious games. It was more about who an official knew. That is one reason there are so many games in which the officiating is bad.