Takeaways from tonight's game

[uconnfan68]

they like playing the centers in the high post. i think it's not bad at times, but they need to look inside when she and Kiah flash to the basket. i'm not sure what is up with Stef. she had 9 vs. STanford, 10 vs. aTm and 6 vs. Baylor. i don't think she's good enough to score against top teams at this point. part of it is she's not taking any shots. either the guards aren't finding her, she's not demanding the ball enough, she's spending too much time in the high post, or some combo of that. don't get me wrong i love Stef and want her to be terrific, but she's not there yet.

i also will say against some tough post players, i've seen them beating the crap out of her. the amount of physical play that goes on when players are trying to defend her is ridiculous at times. i read a post somewhere where a moron said Stef is a dirty player. on the contrary. she's way too nice. and the refs should be calling the overly physical stuff that is pulled against her.

Are you serious???? She had the ball almost every possession, around the foul line, without anyone guarding her within 5-10'. She took 1 shot I can remember. This from a kid that shoots around 80% from the line? She should have shot until she was guarded.

 

[Vowelguy]

Uh...see your own post @10:52. Beyond that, I can't help you. Peace. Out.

Yeah you can't help me, because nowhere do I make a comment on the nature of those losses.

 

[rocky rococo]

Something very strange bout tonight's game. It made very clear that neither of the Huskies post options have any offense in the high post, and yet, I don't recall a single half-court set where the post [player went to the low blocks first or most. Every single set was run with the posts standnig uselessly out on the perimeter. Clearly, the offense wouldn't be set up like that if it wasn't exactly what Geno wanted, but why he should want that, I have no idea.

 

[UConnCat]

Something very strange bout tonight's game. It made very clear that neither of the Huskies post options have any offense in the high post, and yet, I don't recall a single half-court set where the post [player went to the low blocks first or most. Every single set was run with the posts standnig uselessly out on the perimeter. Clearly, the offense wouldn't be set up like that if it wasn't exactly what Geno wanted, but why he should want that, I have no idea.

My guess is that with WVa playing such aggressive man defense, putting the post at the top of the key would open up the lane for back-cuts. The problem was that the WVa post defender was staying in the lane rather than coming up to guard Stef (or Kiah) at the top of the post. That left Stef (or Kiah) wide open but clogged up the lane to make back-cuts difficult. Neither Stef or Kiah took or made the open jumper to force the post defender to guard them which all but eliminated the back-cuts and made running offense more difficult.

Still, the team managed to put up 79 points and won by 19. It was one of those grind-it-out games that resembled games against WVa in previous years.

 

[UConnCat]

Still wondering why Heather didn't play. CD didn't comment on it (wasn't asked) in her postgame radio interview. It wasn't mentioned in the quotes from Geno's postgame comments. Still wonder if it's injury, illness, or chateau bowwow. It certainly would have made sense to play her against that defense.

Geno was asked why Heather didn't play:

“It’s two reasons,’’ Auriemma said. “We can’t get a bucket and she’s not going to help us do that that much. And the next thing I’m sure Saturday we’re going to need her a lot more (at No. 3 Notre Dame) than we needed her tonight. So I told her, `Take the day off.’ She’ll be ready to go on Saturday.’’

 

[cferraro04]

Here is what I took from this game. Kelly is a stud...she is everywhere...got 6 steals tonight, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, nailed 14 points and just played a tremendous heady game tonight. Bria was equally awesome. Doty played well and scored 11 points. Tiffany did well also...come to think of it we had 5 players in double figures and Kiah at 8...that is a nice balanced offensive attack against the third best defense in the country. How about that sick spinning move by Bria Hartley? Let's not downplay the best passing center in the USA Stephanie Dolson's 6 assists.

W. Va. is long and athletic and they have two good post players. Kiah is still young having only played about 12 college games she is still early in the learning curve...so yeah she got schooled a couple of times by a veteran junior post player. That is not a bad thing at this point in her career...she is a quick learner, she has a wide body and I will bet that a sophmore Kiah doesn't get schooled by the same Senior post player next year. Additionally, Kiah hung in there and acquitted herself quite well with 8 points of her own...she had a nice block that was erroneously called a foul. I think we have a gem in Kiah.

Both Kiah and Stephanie were taken off guard by W. Va's strategy of playing about 6 feet off the high post in an effort to pack the middle and prevent the inside game. It wasn't until late in the 2nd half the either Geno told Stephanie to take the foul line jumper (that actually was about 2 feet past the foul line) or Stephanie figured it out for herself (I think it was probably the former). Unfortunately, Kiah never figured it out. It was either a reflection of her youth and inexperience or her lack of confidence to take that shot or a combination of both. If either of them started hitting that shot...it would have changed W. Va. entire defensive strategy. Another thing I took from this game is W. Va.'s youth led to a lot of turnovers prompted by UConn's usual suffocating defense.

We are currently only a team that goes 7 deep. We really are going to need Kiah, Heather and Brianna to find a way to contribute consistently by the time we get to the NCAAs. Other than that...I believe this kind of a game does help in preparing UConn for what they will face Saturday when they go to South Bend, Ind. where our post players will only be part of the problem. While our post players will have their problems with Peters and Aconawa, stopping Novesel and Diggins is going to be a tough assignment for our guards.

 

[EricSD]

Are you serious???? She had the ball almost every possession, around the foul line, without anyone guarding her within 5-10'. She took 1 shot I can remember. This from a kid that shoots around 80% from the line? She should have shot until she was guarded.

what are you talking about? your post not only makes no sense, but has nothing to do with what i posted. clearly i didn't see the game tonite as i live in san diego. i was referring to her lack of production, and lack of shots in 3 previous "tough" games. interesting, though, that Stef was 1-6 scoring 3 points while her counterpart, Busie, was 6-9 for 19 points. i will say Stef had 6 assists and 7 boards tho.

Tiff Hayes' comments On being worried if Dolson has a bad game:
“We work on things like that, when Stefanie is not in in practice. We go with five guards and practice with the big guys like that. It will definitely help if she’s in the game but if not we will find a way to work around it.”

 

[cferraro04]

what are you talking about? your post not only makes no sense, but has nothing to do with what i posted. clearly i didn't see the game tonite as i live in san diego. i was referring to her lack of production, and lack of shots in 3 previous "tough" games. interesting, though, that Stef was 1-6 scoring 3 points while her counterpart, Busie, was 6-9 for 19 points. i will say Stef had 6 assists and 7 boards tho.

Don't worry Eric...I watched the game for both of us...I gave my take in the post just above yours. It wasn't pretty but I think we are okay going into South Bend. We have our work cut out for us but this game was a good one to get us ready for the physicality that we can expect to seen from Notre Dame.

 

[MilfordHusky]

.
How 'bout a 2011 Kiah?
.

She made all her shots. Sounds like a Kiah Optima to me.

 

[Ctpaul0825]

We missed way to many baskets. If they went in it would have Been a blow out. I'll chalk this up to an off night on offense, our defense remains consistent. Very concerned about ND game if being honest.

 

[HuskyNan]

I'm telling you guys - this happens every January and has since I started watching wcbb. The players are living in a hotel, eating in restaurants, have no classes so they're bored most of the day. Their routine is disrupted and it shows.

BTW, other teams are going through this, too, so when a top team has an uneven game against lesser opponent, keep that in mind before skewering it.

 

[Icebear]

They've lost to Duquesne, St Bonaventure, and Cal St-Northridge. They are an NCAA bubble team. Wouldnt really call them a "quality" opponent.

However, WVU is a young team and have been improving every game (with the normal fluctuation) and their defense is very good. Duquense is a very solid team with an excellent coach.

And Nan is absolutely correct this happens every year when the kids aren't in classes. It might be an interesting experiment to offer the kids some in team some projects to fill the time and regulate the days.

 

[Cafe Poliziano]

The women had some very good minutes along side some that felt disjointed, that said they did win handily, and Im certain the big "G" has all thing under control. I for my own part am curious as to why Buck got no court time being that their bigs were pushing SD and KS out of position with some ease most of the game, on to ND and as others have said the team will be very up for that game.

GO UCONN !!!!!!!

 

[doggydaddy]

The women had some very good minutes along side some that felt disjointed, that said they did win handily, and Im certain the big "G" has all thing under control. I for my own part am curious as to why Buck got no court time being that their bigs were pushing SD and KS out of position with some ease most of the game, on to ND and as others have said the team will be very up for that game.

GO UCONN !!!!!!!

“It’s two reasons,’’ Auriemma said. “We can’t get a bucket and she’s not going to help us do that that much. And the next thing I’m sure Saturday we’re going to need her a lot more (at No. 3 Notre Dame) than we needed her tonight. So I told her, `Take the day off.’ She’ll be ready to go on Saturday.’’

 

[doggydaddy]

I am aware of their records. They are bubble or slightly above-bubble teams. WVU lost to both of them. The Eers are looking like a bubble team at this point. That is a marginal 'quality' team in my book.

Largely irrelevant given the quality of the competition played so far.

You were aware of their records (but not aware of their solid RPIs?), yet you still used them as an example of why WV was not a quality opponent?

A good defensive team is a good defensive team, no matter the opponent.

 

[Cafe Poliziano]

“It’s two reasons,’’ Auriemma said. “We can’t get a bucket and she’s not going to help us do that that much. And the next thing I’m sure Saturday we’re going to need her a lot more (at No. 3 Notre Dame) than we needed her tonight. So I told her, `Take the day off.’ She’ll be ready to go on Saturday.’’

Thanks for the info dd

 

[meyers7]

You were aware of their records (but not aware of their solid RPIs?), yet you still used them as an example of why WV was not a quality opponent?

A good defensive team is a good defensive team, no matter the opponent.

I think vowel just has a different opinion of what a "quality" team is. His bar is a bit higher than others on here. And I would have to agree with him. WV isn't a quality team. A decent team, sure.

 

[meyers7]

I'm telling you guys - this happens every January and has since I started watching wcbb. The players are living in a hotel, eating in restaurants, have no classes so they're bored most of the day. Their routine is disrupted and it shows.

BTW, other teams are going through this, too, so when a top team has an uneven game against lesser opponent, keep that in mind before skewering it.

Yep I say that every year. In fact pretty sure I said something about it in Dec. And they also had 6 days off in-between games. They usually get in a groove when they have games every 3-4 days. They don't have as much "practice time" then. Which I think they like.

 

[John Fryer]

Still wondering why Heather didn't play. CD didn't comment on it (wasn't asked) in her postgame radio interview. It wasn't mentioned in the quotes from Geno's postgame comments. Still wonder if it's injury, illness, or chateau bowwow. It certainly would have made sense to play her against that defense.

I was wondering the same thing.

Then I settled on hoping that Heather is just being saved for the ND game.

Lets hope that I am right.

Peace,

John Fryer

 

[Kevin G]

Give WVU some credit on defense. BUT, I'd rather see UCONN miss and play terrible now and get it all out before the ND game. I'm sure we will shoot the ball much better!

GO UCONN!!!

 

[Tonyc]

Hey Uconn had a poor shooting night and won by 19. They had 5 double ddigits scorers and against a very good defensive team. Im happy we had aa good test before saturday. They will be focused Saturday.

 

[earl the pearl]

Something very strange bout tonight's game. It made very clear that neither of the Huskies post options have any offense in the high post, and yet, I don't recall a single half-court set where the post [player went to the low blocks first or most. Every single set was run with the posts standnig uselessly out on the perimeter. Clearly, the offense wouldn't be set up like that if it wasn't exactly what Geno wanted, but why he should want that, I have no idea.

Totally agree!

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Something very strange bout tonight's game. It made very clear that neither of the Huskies post options have any offense in the high post, and yet, I don't recall a single half-court set where the post [player went to the low blocks first or most. Every single set was run with the posts standnig uselessly out on the perimeter. Clearly, the offense wouldn't be set up like that if it wasn't exactly what Geno wanted, but why he should want that, I have no idea.

Exactly...he was a few feet away, whispering distance, as Stef and Kiah set up, where they were obviously told to set up. Why, well that is easy. Back door was the plan, from the get go. Simple as that.

It worked.

 

[Timeout]

Hey Uconn had a poor shooting night and won by 19. They had 5 double ddigits scorers and against a very good defensive team. Im happy we had aa good test before saturday. They will be focused Saturday.

Agree, good teams always find a way to win. In my mind this was the perfect opponent for UConn before facing ND.

 

[alexrgct]

Think there are a few ways of looking at last night's game, as this thread clearly indicates.

Overall, I'd say it was a disappointing result insomuch as I was hoping to see the team firing on most if not all cylinders heading into a big game against ND. In the predictions thread, pretty much everyone expected a larger margin of victory. So the key questions are why was the output not what we expected, and to what extent are those reasons a cause for concern.

Why was the output not as expected? Some possibilities:

• West Virginia, in my eyes, did play pretty well tonight. Their record has some bad losses on it, but I haven't watched any of their games until now. Maybe they're starting to get it together. Maybe they played above their usual level, and they'll not be able to sustain it ging forward. But certainly, last night, they looked like a pretty good team to me. They've got a weak conference schedule coming up plus a game with Marshall, so they have a chance to build some momentum into February.
• UConn had an uncharacteristically poor shooting night from both the three-point line and the FT line. A few more FTs and a couple more treys, and the margin of victory ends up being right around the 27 I thought it'd be.
• There are the obvious possible psychological factors: not being in rhythm in terms of lifestyle/regular games, looking ahead to Saturday, etc.
• You know, as much as Geno preaches playing to a standard rather than to the score or to the opponent, sometimes it just doesn't happen. It happens more with UConn than with most teams, but still.

Is this a cause for concern? Maybe. Will Bria be as consistent as she's been recently? That will be key. Can KML deliver a lights out shooting performance? Will we see the Stef of the BET or the Stef of last night? You can bank on getting nothing but max effort and energy from Tiff and Kelly, but will we get good offensive performances from them? Chances are Muffet will concede certain shots to them. Will Heather be able to build on the peformance she gave the first half of the Baylor game? I assume the girls will be locked in and ready to play. I also assume ND will be. I think ND wins a squeaker, UConn wins the next time and in the BET if they face off again, and hopefully there isn't a fourth time.

 

[tomcat]

Exactly...he was a few feet away, whispering distance, as Stef and Kiah set up, where they were obviously told to set up. Why, well that is easy. Back door was the plan, from the get go. Simple as that.

It worked.

I just really wonder about the strategy, and am really puzzled about how it was thought through. Obviously, WV has a couple of good frontline players. Bussie, as someone else said, may be the best defensive center UConn will see this year after Griner. So are we to assume that Geno decided that Stef and Kiah could not work their offensive will on WV's players and thus had to settle for something else?

I mean, she's Stef Dolson most of the time, but when UConn runs up against tough centers, she turns into Kaili McLaren? Backdoor plays are wonderful, but you can only get so many before a really good defensive team (and IMHO WV is a really good defensive team) will figure out a way to take them away. Now when they made those adjustments, they should have given UConn something else inside, but I don't remember any point in the game when UConn's inside game changed dramatically. In fact, I have a hard time remembering UConn's inside game at all.

I'm not saying that all this is a tragedy or anything. UConn won handily, even if it was an ugly game. It's just that if Stef really is the #2 center in the country -- or even if she has the potential to be the #2 center in the country (which seems to me to be more like it), shouldn't she be able to control at least a little of the action by working her will against the opponent? And if the answer to that question is yes, you have to ask whether the team has an obligation to get the ball to her more often than it did last night.

 

[grizz36]

My guess is that with WVa playing such aggressive man defense, putting the post at the top of the key would open up the lane for back-cuts. The problem was that the WVa post defender was staying in the lane rather than coming up to guard Stef (or Kiah) at the top of the post. That left Stef (or Kiah) wide open but clogged up the lane to make back-cuts difficult. Neither Stef or Kiah took or made the open jumper to force the post defender to guard them which all but eliminated the back-cuts and made running offense more difficult.

Still, the team managed to put up 79 points and won by 19. It was one of those grind-it-out games that resembled games against WVa in previous years.

Plus WVa's aggressive defense included jostling Kelly and KML, UCONN's 2 main back-cutters, out of their timing for the cuts. Still can't figure why Stef didn't attempt more open jumpers. My only guess is that she saw nothing but dark uniforms in the paint for rebounds. UCONN can only expect more of the same defensively against Notre Dame.

 

[Icebear]

I was wondering the same thing.

Then I settled on hoping that Heather is just being saved for the ND game.

Lets hope that I am right.

Peace,

John Fryer

Don't think we have to wonder Geno said as much.

 

[UConnCat]

UConn has played some ugly games against WVa and last night's game fit that pattern. The score of last year's game in Morgantown was 57-51. In the BET game in 2010, the score was 60-32. WVa makes it difficult to run offense because of how physically it plays. Still, the team put up 79 points despite missing open shots in the 1st half and won by 19 points. If you're looking for style points, re-watch the Fairfield game over and over again because there aren't going to be many games with easy cuts and nice rhythms going forward.

 

[msf22b]

Has it been noted that "Ya-Ya" Dunning, the star of Wv's their last game with 20 points, 15 rebounds was "held" to zero points on love for 3 with 7 rebounds.
With all our bellyaching about Stef, I wonder what they're thinking.