Temple Post-game

[BostonBay]

Geno is going to need Aubrey's explosiveness this year, like it or not. Doesnt matter if she is a Freshman. This team just doesnt have enough half-court talent to beat the elite teams. Aubrey will "learn on the job", so be prepared for a lot of mistakes with the good. But, by March, UConn will be a better team for it.

 

[Longtime fan]

A couple random thoughts on the Temple game:

• Good 1st & 4th qtrs. Not so good in the 2nd & 3rd.
• Through 3 games, the biggest issue that I see with UConn’s offense is a lack of transition scoring. Fast break baskets make offense a whole lot easier.
• Liv is an absolute force on defense in the paint and her offense continues to improve. She’s starting to play like one of the better posts in the country.
• Geno is going to face a dilemma very soon. Anna really understands the offense better than Aubrey, but 3 games into the season she’s still in search of her shot. On the other hand, Aubrey’s energy on defense and on the boards is undeniable.
• I felt a little bad for Kyla and her family early in the game when she hadn’t gotten off the bench, particularly when they showed that contingent of Kyla’s friends and family all sporting “Kyla” t-shirts. Great to see her get in and knock down all of her shots.

I think game 3 was excellent to watch. Geno was back home in Philadelphia. Anna is a confident player with a high basketball IQ ( great passes). She is "everywhere," and her shot will fall. Aubrey is a special talent in Geno's eyes ( and words). He rarely is so public in his compliments ( athleticism, etc ) of a new player. The core three are great talents and exciting to watch. And Olivia will soon be an All American if she consistently hits that fade away jump shot and those 12 footers. The bench are all competent at their jobs which is; cause no harm, and give rest to the starting six.

I feel confident saying, " this will be a team to be reckoned with."

I don't think UVA will be quite the challenge that Temple was. UVA has an exciting new HC ( fantastic
resume ) and seems to have decided that they wish to be a doormat ( in women's BB ) no more. They have a fine group of freshmen and a number of foreign imports as upperclassmen. They will be a force in a year or two, but not today. Although, to be honest, I know nothing of their "imports." But their record last year was not much to crow about.

 

[meyers7]

That is correct, but playing devil’s advocate, UConn put the game away in the 4th qtr with Aubrey on the floor outscoring Temple 26-9.

Not really devil's advocate. UCONN scored 32 in the 1st period with Mak on the floor. You're devil's advocate argument actually is that UCONN's defense is better with Griff on the floor. But we were talking about why Geno seems to prefer Mak in the starting line-up, because.....offense.

 

[eebmg]

Cant wait for next year when the bench wars will really heat up.

 

[oldude]

Not really devil's advocate. UCONN scored 32 in the 1st period with Mak on the floor. You're devil's advocate argument actually is that UCONN's defense is better with Griff on the floor. But we were talking about why Geno seems to prefer Mak in the starting line-up, because.....offense.

This is one of those eternal basketball arguments. Does UConn win because of great offense or great defense. Of course there is no wrong answer. I’m happy to have both Anna & Aubrey, look forward to watching both develop and I absolutely believe that both will be big contributors by the time the Big Dance rolls around, regardless of which one starts.

 

[HopJim]

I beg to differ. Cal’s starting center is 6’7”. The Golden Bears also played another 6’4” F/C as a backup or alongside their starting center. Vanderbilt starts an experienced and talented 6’5” Center and a pretty good 6’2” PF. In today’s game Temple subbed in and out 3 frontcourt players who went 6’4”, 6’3” & 6’2”.

Are you suggesting these were elite centers? None of these players would make the roster of a Top 10 team.

 

[oldude]

Are you suggesting these were elite centers? None of these players would make the roster of a Top 10 team.

Don’t change your argument mid-discussion. You claimed the opponents Liv was up against were “relatively short.” Clearly, they were not. Beyond that, 6’5” Mariella Fasoula from Vandy is a really good player, with a lot of low-post moves that give defenders fits. In addition, a number of these players would certainly make the rosters of top 10 teams, because you can never have enough size. How much they would play is open to question.

IMO, these are great matchups for Liv to compete against and gain confidence. As for all those “elite centers”, there really aren’t a lot of them out there. UConn has 3 games against teams with elite centers: Oregon/Hebard, Baylor/Cox & SC/Boston. Liv has 3” on Hebard, Cox is currently out with a foot injury and Boston is just a freshman. I think Liv will hold her own against all of them.

 

[Dokey]

after such a long and detailed analysis, there can only be one correct response.

Disagree.

Geno knows best. You need Anna involved at the beginning to set up a complete team effort, as happened at Temple. Aubrey isn’t experienced enough to do that, leading to a perhaps exciting if chaotic opening. Again, as I point out frequently, UConn goes down the floor, Anna dishes to (a player to be named later) and we score. Then we do it again. The idea is to score on an offensive possession. Who cares who actually puts it in the basket? Anna missed six out of seven shots. If she had dished instead, how many more assists would she have picked up, how many more points would we score?

 

[Alydar]

The reasoning behind my comment was I'm wondering how much longer Geno can afford to have Anna on the floor if she's not scoring?

How is the team scoring when she is on the floor? Her assist total says she has value even when not scoring.

Plus, Geno knows that for UConn to go deep in the NCAA's she must be a significant contributor.

 

[BroadwayVa]

You brought up something that some Boneyarders might not truly fathom .... Ania is in a completely different culture day in and day out than she has ever lived in, thousands of miles from home and a few games into a season with a completely new team .... it seems like she's adapting quite well but it is still a vastly different world than she's lived before ... she obviously has talent and skills and I think that it'll be sooner rather than later that you'll see her shots drop and her game get even stronger ....

I think you are right. We all have to realize Ania ain't in Poland any longer --Antie Em. And OZ comes in the shape of Geno. I won't dare go through the cast of characters..
This can't be like slipping on a new Uniform for her. The culture of the kids within her teammates, while not impossible, must wear on her psyche. Basketball is the common denominator but even that is different to some degree. Heck the NY kids in my unit spoke a language with words I never heard before the military. Culture shock.
I have to say I dearly like all things Ania. I wish the NCAA would allow a trip to a few Polish towns in CT. The only thing common then would be some with the proper language. I just have to accept it won't be really easy for her this year.

 

[Centerstream]

Cant wait for next year when the bench wars will really heat up.

I predict that there will be a "Blue" team and a "White" team.
And of course most BYers will disagree with me and present their opinions on why that will not happen, ever.
But I don't mind...

 

[Longtime fan]

Not really devil's advocate. UCONN scored 32 in the 1st period with Mak on the floor. You're devil's advocate argument actually is that UCONN's defense is better with Griff on the floor. But we were talking about why Geno seems to prefer Mak in the starting line-up, because.....offense.

I think he starts Anna because she is more experienced/mature with basketball at this level ( having played in a "pro league" in Poland ), and he wants to take some pressure off of Aubrey. I think once Aubrey really "settles in," there will be more rotations, and more rest for some starters. We have already seen a bit of Anna and Aubrey on the court at the same time.

 

[HuskyPhan]

I love all this Ania/Aubrey talk because I love the play and prospects of these super Frosh. It's kind of like arguing over a Bentley and a Lamborghini. If you have a big enough garage you get both and fully enjoy the awesome but different driving experiences. We are in for such a treat in the next month or two as these two are going to continue to make very quick leaps (literally and figuratively) in their contributions-enjoy!!