Syracuse Postgame Thread | The Boneyard

Syracuse Postgame Thread

oldude

oldude

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Some thoughts on the Syracuse game:
  • Felisha Legette-Jack is a good coach who’s done a nice job at Syracuse. But trying to handle UConn’s ferocious defensive pressure without your starting PG is like trying to put out a 5-alarm fire with a water pistol. Mercifully, UConn took off the press in the 2nd half.
  • Geno had to be pleased that Sarah took 4 of UConn’s first 5 shots, hitting 3/4.
  • Azzi’s last game at Gampel was bound to be a memorable one. How’s about 34 pts on 13/18 (8/11) with 3 rebounds, 5 assist and 4 steals. Hopefully, Azzi follows Geno’s advice and trims her nails through the rest of the Tournament! 😎
  • Isoje is going to be a really good player. But today she first had to deal with Serah, an athletic 6’4” center, then Sarah, the best defensive forward in the nation and finally Blanca got her turn, immediately stripping the ball from her. Against UConn's defenders Isoje shot 6/13 with 5 turnovers.
  • I know it wasn’t with the intent to injure, but there were a number of instances when Syracuse players dived for a loose ball taking Sarah’s legs out. Every time I held my breath until Sarah got up on her feet, as the entire season passed before my eyes. 😞
  • Last year we talked about UConn’s 3-headed monster: Paige, Azzi & Sarah. Well don’t look now, but this year UConn has another 3-headed monster: Azzi, Sarah & Blanca.
  • If anyone is confused where exactly the Basketball Capital of the World is located, the $110 million addition/renovation to Gampel should clear things up.
  • Happy Birthday to Geno who turned 72 today! At an age when most of his contemporaries are sitting in a rocking chair on the porch, Geno continues to thrive, with no plans to retire anytime soon.
  • Next up for the Huskies is a trip to Ft. Worth for a Sweet 16 matchup with the UNC Tar Heels. Courtney Banghart is not going to especially enjoy watching the game film from tonight, particularly the 1st half........
 
Ryan Russo understated that the Huskies played their best first half of the year. Visually, statistically, defensively, it could arguably be their best first half ever.

The key, I guess, to their unreal defense is the press. Their half court defense without it was not all that great in both tourney games. I realize that both games were over at the half but Syracuse got a lot of good looks in the second half.

Blanca is showing signs of being ready to make an impact in the remaining games.

As Lobo said, when UConn shoots threes like tonight they are about impossible to beat.
 
The game was over at the end of the first quarter. It was all just cosmetic after that. But that first quarter, or even the first half, was thrilling to watch. And it must have been demoralizing for the Orange. Holly reported that a few of the players were crying after the first half.

In a postgame interview, Holly asked Azzi what she thought she'd be remembered for at UConn. "Oooh. Oooh that's a good question. I don't know." There's the humble superstar.
 
Well... That first half was what I was hoping to see against UTSA. Had to wait 1 more game to see it. Just wow. Total clinic. And loved the story about Geno telling Azzi to cut her nails to shoot better LOL. Happy birthday coach!!

And Blanca has played 2 really good games in the NCAA's. Any rust she had is pretty much gone.

The defense was a total clinic, but when the 3's are falling, the offense is unstoppable. 2nd half, you know, kind of cruise control. But that first half - wow. Easily best half of the season. Best half in a long time. SO fun to watch!

Lastly, I loved that Geno used ONLY the core 8 for the first 20 minutes. The team was really in synch on both ends of the floor. AND Azzi ONLY played 28 minutes. Just wow again LOL!
 
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Hats off to what Syracuse and Coach Jack accomplished this year. They had a dismal season last year and this was a complete 180 for them. The future is bright, especially for the young players. Uche will continue to improve and impress.

Now, UConn ... wow wow wow. What can I say! I was nervous all day because I don't take any UConn game for granted. But thankfully the players had none of my nerves and were completely locked in and ready to dominate! Azzi with 34, Sarah with 18, and how about Blanca with 18 as well?! What a great game for her! Also need to shout out Shade, K9, and KK as well, for always playing their part and getting exactly what we needed, when we needed it. Just complete domination.

Now on to the S16! Not done yet!!
 
I don't understand why last year Geno put Paige back in in her last game at Gample to break her career high and get a well deserved heroes salute and why tonight after Azzi tied her career high in an amazing performance, he did not do the same. If Geno did not realize it one of the assistants should have. Once you do it for Paige, you should do it for Azzi. Very disappointing.
 
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K9 was a greyhound tonight. Seems to me Syracuse was hard fouling and the refs more that cut them a break under the rim. I guess Syracuse now knows what people mean when they say until you've lived it you just don't know what you're in for. With about 4 to go the camera focused on Sareh and she had this look on her face like she didn't believe it either.
 
BBallF said:
I don't understand why last year Geno put Paige back in in her last game at Gample to break her career high and get a well deserved heroes salute and why tonight after Azzi tied her career high in an amazing performance, he did not do the same. If Geno did not realize it one of the assistants should have. Once you do it for Paige, you should do it for Azzi. Very disappointing.
Expand ...
C'mon? Maybe he asked her if she wanted to go back in, and knowing Azzi, she probably said, "I.m good."
 
An Azzi Fudd Masterclass and she could have went for 50, easily. Strong started on a tear and is too good. She's like having 2 or 3 players with her versatility. Serah Williams had a good game and her passing game destroyed alot of schemes.

UConn was a buzzsaw today and despite first round remarks, this is the team to beat.
 
I just don't understand having Blanca and Serah on the bench and Caroline and Ayanna on the floor. Serah and Blanca need the minutes. Neither has played a lot this year. We need them to be sharp against the top teams and that only comes from playing. Develop the horses you are going to bring to the derby.
 
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I was hoping that around midway through the 4th quarter that Geno would put Azzi back in when Caroline was on the floor. Then Azzi feeds Caroline for an easy bucket and then take them both out at the same time. They deserved to be cheered by the crowd. Oh well.

Now, waiting to hear how that would have been stupid due to the injury possibility even though they have been two of the most dedicated and loved Huskies for the last five years.
 
BBallF said:
I don't understand why last year Geno put Paige back in in her last game at Gample to break her career high and get a well deserved heroes salute and why tonight after Azzi tied her career high in an amazing performance, he did not do the same. If Geno did not realize it one of the assistants should have. Once you do it for Paige, you should do it for Azzi. Very disappointing.
Expand ...
Would have been nice to see
If sje got hurt not so nice
 
Just have to say 3 things that are what we(I hope) love about this team

What’s more important than the 65 point outburst is what a beautiful game we got to see

At the end of the game Jana looking for Caroline to give her a big hug

What a fantastically well spoken interview Azzie gave. It is the trademark of the “UCONN girl “

Time to sit back and celebrate
 
I thought Blanca had her best game of the year. Shot well....some very nice [and unselfish] passes....usual rebounding
and defense. I thought she showed much improvement in dialing it back [just a little] and played under control.
One concern...will she do something similar in the next 4 games? Uhh...once or more than once.? The quality of
the competition goes up...and I hope she pulls a great imitation of how she played tonight.
 
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