Something learned about KLS, besides the obvious:

[bags27]

Maybe this is too heavy a burden to put on someone, but Geno is the one:
"She has been really good the last two weeks or 10 days,” Auriemma said. “She has a different kind of presence out there. She reminds me so much of Stewie (Breanna Stewart) when Stewie was a freshman. There is a lot of great stuff going on and during the game there will be a lot of (times) when you go ‘wow’ and then there are things that she still struggles with.”
http://www.nhregister.com/sports/20160224/uconn-women-clinch-third-straight-aac-crown

 

[MilfordHusky]

Anyone else notice the difference in play since the Cinci game? Seems to me the experiment was a success! Lou has taken a more active role on the court as has Collier and to some degree Butler. They aren't being quite so deferential to their older teammates and are asserting themselves more.

(This coaching staff actually might know what they are doing! )

I thought Courtney got assertive after the TO last night too.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

You don't have to be Stewie to be terrific. Lou has had a fine frosh trajectory and we are going to enjoy this career path very much.

 

[Rb335]

One of the biggest complaints about KLS this season has been her shooting from beyond the arc. I think we often compare incoming freshman to outgoing seniors when they are asked to fill someones role. KLS has been compared to KML by nature of their shooting.

KML Freshman Shooting- 93-242 3pfg for 38.4% over 38 games, 6.36 att/ game
KLS through 27 games- 52-145 3pfg for 35.9% over 27 games, 5.37 att/game

KLS shooting projected out to 38 games at her current pace she would be 73-204. If you projected her shooting to equal the same number of attempts as KML as a freshman, Lou would be 87-242.

Looking at it like this, KLS has proven that she is a good shooter and can really contribute. KML was forced to take on a large offensive role but if Lou was in that same position, scoring 6 less threes on the same number of attempts is a pretty minuscule number over the course of the entire season.

Just looking at this, and her 40% shooting percentage from 3 in conference has made me realize that with a larger offensive load over the next three years, KLS will be right up there with KML for career 3 point makes and remembered as one of the better shooters to come through the program.

 

[MilfordHusky]

In terms of Lou and her shooting, Geno's presser shines more light on what he said and meant.

http://the-boneyard.com/threads/geno-auriemma-postgame-press-conference-smu.88367/

He notes that the guy whom Lou replaced made 5 threes per game--"with her eyes closed." He then says that Lou needs to do more. Kaleena didn't do more her freshman year and, therefore, didn't win a national championship. I think Geno would agree that Kaleena did more her next 3 seasons. If Kaleena had boxed out at the end of regulation in the semi-final game in 2012, she probably would have won 4 championships. Attention to detail, as Geno and CD preach! That one play motivated K for the next 3 seasons.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

In an ideal world, Jordy, putting Lou inside might be a bad idea. I'm not advocating it (as if my opinion mattered). Using Bre inside wasn't that pleasant to watch, given the pummeling she got; same issue as KLS (wrong body type). Geno spoke often of "freeing Stewart up" by getting her some help in the post. But as "necessity is the mother of invention," Bre wound up doing what the team needed. The fact that she is so darned good at it, is a bonus. Let's keep it that way? Obviously Geno will figure it out. We're just having fun speculating and flapping our lowers . . .

The same with Tina Charles. When she was playing under the basket in the WNBA, the other teams all triple-teamed her. Her shooting percentage went south, her scoring was mediocre. But now she's been permitted to move out about ten feet, and it made all the difference last season. She was quoted as saying that she far prefers playing as a forward compared with post.

 

[Jimbo]

Of course Lou is tough—just look at the uniform number she's wearing! Meg Pattyson, Jamelle, Shea, Barbara Turner…all tough as nails! Great to see KLS carrying on that tradition!

What's really impressed me about Lou's game of late has been how many of the scrappy, non-box-score plays she keeps making. It seems at least a couple times a game she'll dive on the floor to force a tie up, bat a loose offensive rebound to keep it alive, take a charge, all the little things that lead to extra possessions and help win games. Oh, and by the way, her shot's come around too. Can't wait to see what she has in store for us fans over the next 3+ seasons!

 

[bags27]

What's really impressed me about Lou's game of late has been how many of the scrappy, non-box-score plays she keeps making.

Lou leads the team in charges taken. I wish that were a statistic. It's more important blocked shots, because it IS a blocked shot, but it also: 1. guarantees possession of the ball, and 2. adds a personal foul to the other side. It is an inspiring play that gets your team juiced.

 

[hoophuskee]

I Love Lou C. Everyone above seems suitably excited by the progress she has made, but there's even MORE. Geno has said that KLS has all of Bre's tools (not her ability yet). He should know. While dropping those 3's is money, Lou's assists are a wonder to behold; she was a great passer almost from the get-go. Next year I believe she'll slide into the middle more, much as Stewart did in her second go round. AND she's begun to obstruct, deflect, and block opponent's shots. Sorry she got her dimples dented last night but love how she checked her teeth and shrugged it off. California Dreamin.

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