St John’s post game thread (merged thread)

[TeamFirst!]

I wouldn't be surprised if both Azzi and Chrystyn play. It's certainly possible.

 

[TeamFirst!]

I disagree with you. We are winning games but haven't been playing like the #1 team in a country. Hopefully with a week off we will start.

A lot can happen in a week. We will see who shows up for SC.

 

[cohenzone]

Caroline was the one who took advantage of the back door. St John‘s was way overplaying the passing lanes, leading to several telegraphed passes and also leaving the back door wide open. Shea Ralph was great at understanding that and Caroline showed the same smarts today.

I hope we can give SC a game, but I’m not putting too much concern in the result.

 

[genzhusk]

If you think that then you don't know SC. SC plays man to man 99.5 percent of the time. We are not going to let you shoot 3 pointers.

“packing it in” does not mean NOT playing man. it means sagging off the opposite side to help in the lane. that’s pretty standard of any good man-to-man defense. i’d be surprised in SC is face guarding all 5 players the whole game, there really wouldn’t be a need to.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Postgame Geno said the injuries had one good effect : "We knew she was good, but we found out she [Caroline] is very, very good." It's nice that Geno has come out with that.

 

[donalddoowop]

This game should have been a blowout. Instead, it was a grind from start to finish. UCONN turnovers let to a lot of SJU points. The 2 games leading up to Oregon had many feeling "good", and even tho we prettied up the corpse at the end, it really was a blowout. We followed up the Seton Hall blowout (a team who just beat this SJU team) with a lackluster struggle. Geno keeps talking about his struggles in getting the team to listen to him - even at halftime - he said "these kids don't believe me. I tell them they need to go out at the 3 point shooters with their arm(s) up, and they don't".

This team just doesn't have it for whatever reason. One could argue that the revolving door of injuries, covid issues, etc., causes consistency problems, but it feels like the issues are deeper. When Geno is quoted as saying that 2 kids on the team simply do not give "UCONN hard" effort, and that the players do not listen to him, again it speaks to a deeper problemteam we all long to see.. At halftime he said the team played pretty well, but the missed layups were specifically mentioned. Sure a double digit win on the road, but it just didn't feel like a great win.

Geno had to call a TO early in Q4 after SJU went on a 7-0 run to start the quarter. That's baffling against an overmatched team who is 1-5 in the BE. They were shooting over 43% late into the game. Instead of doing a player by player synopsis, 4 players stood out...

Why should it have been a blowout? St. John's has good players and one of the best in the BE. UConn's offense has been struggling and will continue to struggle. You probably need to lower your expectations until everyone gets back and even then, temper them. UConn's offense and turnovers will continue to hinder them from being the team we love to see.

 

[HuskyNan]

I miss the announcers talking about the ball movement, crisp passing, backdoor cuts. and ball not hitting the floor on offense. These were always a given - where have they gone?

Caroline did the backdoor cut about 5 times today. Her motion on offense is far advanced for a freshman

 

[donalddoowop]

If you think that then you don't know SC. SC plays man to man 99.5 percent of the time. We are not going to let you shoot 3 pointers.

Anyone who has watched SC play more than once should know that they play man to man defense.

 

[eebmg]

Postgame Geno said the injuries had one good effect : "We knew she was good, but we found out she [Caroline] is very, very good." It's nice that Geno has come out with that.

Don't think the Winston Churchill thing went over so well.

 

[BBallF]

I have been off the AE train for most of this year. I just can't understand how she has gone backwards in her development. She is worrisome everytime she has the ball on offense, holds it too long, can't get her feet where they should be, and seems out of sync with the offense.

I thought Evina could have done so much more. She is just not aggressive, like CD for example, in wanting the ball and wanting to score. She has the talent and skill but has to move a lot more and keep on shooting and above all else, drive and either finish or pull up.

Liv today was just another iteration of the new and dominant Liv and POY in the Big East. A double double for a post player without points is one infrequent achievement and very special.

Nika started out great and made a pull up I have never seen before. Good floor game as usual.

CD is just getting going for us. A big bounce back game for her. Her conditioning is remarkable. She never stops moving, always looking for a path to the hoop or a shot. Very cunning offensive player. Let's see her against SC. You never know.

I thought Dorka was solid. 16 and 9 is always welcome and she hit some big shots.

The team defense was not what it was against Seton Hall. On offense, the turnovers are just too much and several of them were the result of lazy passes and travels, all preventable. The team has to be much tighter on offense and everyone has to take the scoring responsibility on with certain exceptions- the main one being good shots only. Hey, we can't even rest our guards, so some sloppiness is going to happen and when you are tired your offensive production usually drops off. Thank goodness for Caroline's scoring. It's been a really tough year with no real solutions in sight but there is hope for the eventual return of our players and the only option right now is to move forward courageously.

 

[eebmg]

Dorka and Caroline presser

 

[hoopsfan22]

Full Geno post-game press conference:

 

[Carnac]

Geno in presser this past week: we will not play Nika the whole game, that's just not plausible. Today: plays Nika 40 minutes. Lol!

Geno had "good intentions", but was forced to go with the flow as the game progressed. It's not like he had a lot of options. especially with ONO picking up her 3rd foul early in the 3rd quarter.

 

[BostonBay]

At this point, it doesnt matter if UConn loses both the SC and UT games, which they probably will with this lineup. Assuming they still win all their BE games, they'll still be a 3 a 4-seed in the CT region. All that matters is if Paige, Azzi, & CW come back near 100% in March, and then they'll have a puncher's chance to win a Title. No use rushing them back.

As for this game, CD's basketball IQ is off the charts for a freshman. As Geno said, this team would be terrible without her, and would probably be losing BE games.

 

[hoophuskee]

Who knew CD was the player we needed. The thought of having a pass first superstar point guard in Paige and a unconscious scorer in CD, this could eventually be an all time tandem!!! Also, why do opposing point guards test Nika? She picks a pocket clean at least one time a game.

Add in a great shooter like Azzi, sure is on paper a lot to look forward too.

 

[HuskyNan]

Why should it have been a blowout? St. John's has good players and one of the best in the BE. UConn's offense has been struggling and will continue to struggle. You probably need to lower your expectations until everyone gets back and even then, temper them. UConn's offense and turnovers will continue to hinder them from being the team we love to see.

In the real world, not UConn territory, 18 points is a blowout

 

[eebmg]

Full Geno post-game press conference:

Positive stuff on Aubrey recovery.

 

[boontonbomber]

Well, guess I was watching a different game, because I enjoyed the offensive movement, especially after the "pass it around the outside and shoot threes" against Seton Hall. Caroline could teach a class in moving when you haven't got the ball, especially her back door moves. Maybe it's rubbing off. Oh, and she's pretty good at posting up. St. John's looked to me to be a well-coached team, with some very good offensive players. Don't understand some of their losses. They go down to the end with UCLA, losing by 5; led DePaul at the half, only down by 5 after 3, scoring 93 points; and then they find a way to lose to teams like Brown, Providence, and Wagner.

 

[Skeets]

In the SNY post game show they said that Christyn may not play in the SC game. It's NOT a given. There may be some lingering complications preventing her from taking the floor Thursday.

I must be transparent here. I expect some pushback for what I'm about to say......which is fine. There is no way in he** UConn is going to Columbia South Carolina in front of a sold out (18,000 seats) Colonial Life Arena, and beat the number 1 team in the country on their floor with 6 players.

The Gamecocks are number one, and they 're playing like it. My hope hope is to get that game behind us without anyone getting injured. I don't care about the loss. It became blatantly obvious earlier this year that this IS NOT our year. Core players being injured, player defections, COVID infections hitting our team. Do the best you can. Play hard and smart and see where you finish at the end of the year. UConn will not win the NC this year (playing the way they played today), but let's see how close they can come.

Carnac, you know, and I know, strange things happen. That's why games have to be played. Otherwise just hang a banner. Oh, wait. They did that...

I will be rooting for UConn against SCar and in the tournament. Long shots? Maybe, but story endings are made with long shots. (I am not in the same class as TonyC however...)

 

[dtbtbtb]

Few thoughts:

• SJ seems like a better team then their record indicates. 5-12? 1-6? They have 2 really good players in Correa and Kelly. Some height and even 2 ex-ND players.
• CD is special. to do what she has been doing as a freshmen is outstanding. Her endurance is amazing. The kid is moving for the whole 40 min. and does not lose efficiency. I assume no one had an issue with her taking 22 shots today.

*This team is not a good passing team aside then ONO and she is the center. The current guards are either not recognizing openings or are late passing and by that missing on an easy shot.

• while the beginning of the 4th quarter was really bad, loved the reaction of UConn to go on a run and basically close the game.
• we need more then 3 points from Liv in the big games.
• DJ was good in this game but she need s a serious strength training and working on balance.
• Don't know what to think of AE. She plays hard but....

*Nika's defense was real good today and that helps the whole team to up their defensive intensity.
*SJ scored a lot of points of UConn turnover mainly because of the locations of those turnovers which resulted in layups for SJ. Against the top teams this kind of carelessness' with the ball will result in a loss.
* Thursday will be interesting. I doubt this team can win against SC (in SC) so all i really hope for is a competitive game.

 

[MD#12Fan]

Didn't read the whole post-game thread, but I didn't see this idea....
What if we beat SC on Thursday. Suddenly, UConn is thrust back into everyone's consciousness. 4-5 BE snoozers and then Tenn. Come on folks: UConn matches up with SC. UConn has 3 bigs playing pretty well and 10 more fouls sitting over on the bench. Gotta tighten up the turnovers against pressure. SC has played a few lethargic games. Could they overlook UConn with PB out? This headache of a season could take at least a 90 degree veer north with a win Thursday. That 3-4 seed everyone is talking about quickly readjusts like hopefully Wall Street next week.

 

[Centerstream]

Easy to look like a good defensive team against the likes of St John’s, et al.
Not so easy against Oregon.
We’ll test your theory against SC.

Well correct me if I am wrong but isn't this the UConn vs SJU Post Game thread?

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

Gotta say this...

UCONN WBB beat a team by 18 points on the other team's court, in front of the other team's fans, with only 6 players. They were still missing 3 guards including: (1) their Best Player who was also the best player in NCAA WBB last year -winner of 4 NPOY awards last year (and was playing like she was going to win some of them again before her injury) and an ESPY, 21.5 pts/game, (2) a Senior 4 year starter who is also best one-on-one defender, 14.6 pts/game, and (3) the #1 recruit from last year's high school players, 7.5pts/game... and a front court energizer bunny who changes the game every time she plays. BUT for some It isn't enough.... The Team playing on the court is not the Team that started the summer workouts together...nor the team that played in November together. They are what is available to put on the court NOW. We have early season subs playing 35 - 40 minutes in critical positions and they are coming through with points, rebounds, steals, and a lot of gritty play. But, still, for some, it's NOT enough.

If the good lord is willin' and the creek don't rise, the Team playing TODAY will NOT be the Team playing in March and April... in the Tournaments... when it matters most. The Team playing now is playing their hearts out... to win and to carry on the tradition of UCONN WBB. They are doing what they can, and I'm sure they feel bad that they disappoint some BY posters to some degree... but they are focused on getting through the regular season, treading water as best they can...until the injured can return. During his Presser Geno said the Team "was going through hell"... and quoted Churchill, "when you are going through hell... KEEP GOING"... The Team could say it's just too hard and "mail in" the rest of the season, or they can keep working their collective butts off to win each game. Geno said "it's not going to be pretty for a while"... and it hasn't been, but they are winning the games they are supposed to win and they are continuing to improve each and every game. This has been a difficult time, but it has been a time for each player who can play to improve their skills, experience and most importantly their confidence. When the others return, Geno will have so many more options he can rely on to plug into a game at a particular moment and be confident they can help the team.

Early in the Season many BY posters predicted losses to SC in the Bahamas and the game coming up in Columbia. Of course the 1st game went to SC. The 2nd one is coming up, on their court, with UCONN still short-handed. It will be a major accomplishment if they can pull out a win in this game... BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER. What matters now is winning the Conference games and tournament, getting everyone back to the court, and putting out a stronger, more experienced and more determined team for the big dance.

IMHO

 

[HuskyNan]

Easy to look like a good defensive team against the likes of St John’s, et al.
Not so easy against Oregon.
We’ll test your theory against SC.

I get that you want a perfect game - Geno has spoiled us fans. But you have to recognize that players are being asked to do things they never had to do before. A freshman is leading the team is scoring. Olivia is directing the offense from the high post. Nika, still recovering from an injury, is playing twice as many minutes as the medical guys want. A transfer is expected to fit right into UConn’s schemes after playing completely different ones for 4 years. This is not easy, any of it. Yet, for some reason, UConn fans seem to feel that the Huskies should just keep rolling over teams by 40 points.

I think it’s not unreasonable to temper expectations. An 18 point win rather than a 40 point one - on the road, against the #2 scoring offense in the BIg East (UConn is #4). Maybe you expect more robotic performances, as Mr Bueckers would say, but I see human beings with their strengths and weaknesses who may win vs So Carolina or may not. But the fun is in the watching and cheering. If it isn’t, it may be time to find a new team to root for

 

[hoopsfan22]

The team just played its second game in less than 48 hours with essentially 6 players and people are pissed that UConn "only" won by 18? Get a grip.

 

[Boreifs]

This game should have been a blowout. Instead, it was a grind from start to finish. UCONN turnovers let to a lot of SJU points. The 2 games leading up to Oregon had many feeling "good", and even tho we prettied up the corpse at the end, it really was a blowout. We followed up the Seton Hall blowout (a team who just beat this SJU team) with a lackluster struggle. Geno keeps talking about his struggles in getting the team to listen to him - even at halftime - he said "these kids don't believe me. I tell them they need to go out at the 3 point shooters with their arm(s) up, and they don't".

This team just doesn't have it for whatever reason. One could argue that the revolving door of injuries, covid issues, etc., causes consistency problems, but it feels like the issues are deeper. When Geno is quoted as saying that 2 kids on the team simply do not give "UCONN hard" effort, and that the players do not listen to him, again it speaks to a deeper problem. At halftime he said the team played pretty well, but the missed layups were specifically mentioned. Sure a double digit win on the road, but it just didn't feel like a great win.

Geno had to call a TO early in Q4 after SJU went on a 7-0 run to start the quarter. That's baffling against an overmatched team who is 1-5 in the BE. They were shooting over 43% late into the game. Instead of doing a player by player synopsis, 4 players stood out...

Caroline, Nika, ONO, and Dorka.

• Caroline continues to be our best offensive option. Her 3 point shooting is way off, but she finds so many other ways to score, and she works hard on defense. She's a gamer and will be really good for her career.
• Nika - 3 point shooting is not a strength - 4-12 in the last 2 games, but she's really no worse than anyone else on the team who plays right now. But her energy and defense is really nice to see.
• Dorka - really solid game from start to finish. Sure she made some mistakes, but she battles, gets open, makes a decent amount of layups (unlike the bricks some other have been shooting), and is really all around solid.
• Olivia for getting almost 20 rebounds. 18 boards and 10 assists. WOW. What an effort!!

Evina had nice numbers, but her mental lapses and leadership was a bit lacking today. Edwards - meh. Gotta make layups.

This game was close enough that we went no deeper into the bench. The game vs. SC, even with Christyn back, could be very ugly for UCONN. BUT this team is so inconsistent that maybe we will be surprised in a good way!

Playing St. John’s at their gym, one should never expect a blowout. They appeared to be a much better team than Seton Hall.

 

[Stymie]

I get that you want a perfect game - Geno has spoiled us fans. But you have to recognize that players are being asked to do things they never had to do before. A freshman is leading the team is scoring. Olivia is directing the offense from the high post. Nika, still recovering from an injury, is playing twice as many minutes as the medical guys want. A transfer is expected to fit right into UConn’s scheme’s after playing completely different ones for 4 years. THis is not easy, any of it. Yet, for some reason, UConn fans seem to feel that the Huskies should just keep rolling over teams by 40 points.

I think it’s not unreasonable to temper expectations. An 18 point win rather than a 40 point one - on the road, against the #2 scoring offense in the BIg East (UConn is #4). Maybe you expect more, as Mr Bueckers would say, robotic performances but I see human beings with their strengths and weaknesses who may win vs So Carolina or may not. But the fun is in the watching and cheering. If it isn’t, it may be time to find a new team to root for

Thank you Ms. Nan.
With all due respect.
But there is nothing more important than protecting the ball.
Any sport: pick one: hoops, lacrosse, football, soccer, field hockey, name it.
When you have the ball in your possession, the other team cannot score.
The lazy passes, push passes, disrespecting the importance of controlling the ball drives me crazy.
Protect the ball, please....

 

[Boreifs]

I get that you want a perfect game - Geno has spoiled us fans. But you have to recognize that players are being asked to do things they never had to do before. A freshman is leading the team is scoring. Olivia is directing the offense from the high post. Nika, still recovering from an injury, is playing twice as many minutes as the medical guys want. A transfer is expected to fit right into UConn’s scheme’s after playing completely different ones for 4 years. THis is not easy, any of it. Yet, for some reason, UConn fans seem to feel that the Huskies should just keep rolling over teams by 40 points.

I think it’s not unreasonable to temper expectations. An 18 point win rather than a 40 point one - on the road, against the #2 scoring offense in the BIg East (UConn is #4). Maybe you expect more, as Mr Bueckers would say, robotic performances but I see human beings with their strengths and weaknesses who may win vs So Carolina or may not. But the fun is in the watching and cheering. If it isn’t, it may be time to find a new team to root for

Amen

 

[Carnac]

not saying you are wrong, but then you could legitimately ask if Bueckers should come back at all this year. Why take a chance

I’m already on record saying that personally I am NOT expecting Paige back until I see her on the court during a game. Medical prognostications aren’t always accurate. Look how long Azzi has been out. She was only supposed to be out 2 weeks. Looks like it’s going to be closer to two months. Let’s see where we are on March 5. If we’re back to full strength and in sync, I’ll reevaluate my expectations, but not before then.

 

[topogigio]

Caroline did the backdoor cut about 5 times today. Her motion on offense is far advanced for a freshman

agree, but she is just one - I think it has to do with Winston Churchill. See Geno's post game presser!