Tenn SC and UConn comin up

[JellyBean]

I have watched a lot of Tennessee games this season and like any team, if their shots aren't falling, they play less aggressive which gives me hope when UConn plays them. UConn should win that match up. It is South Carolina that worries me. They are not only athletic they are also skilled inside and outside. We use to only worry about their inside game now they got outside snipers. That is going to be fun.

 

[Darwin]

I know, right? Especially in response to a post by Tony. How unoriginal can you be?

We could dredge up some of this poster's "plans" about Tennessee but that would also be unoriginal so I'll pass.

Tennessee?

 

[Bone Dog]

I’m not worried about playing Tennessee and SC in the slightest. We may lose one or both of these games. But our young players will learn a lot in them.

Tennessee is not bigger than our frontcourt (at least not by much), though Hollingshead and Spearman are more experienced and better scorers. Puckett is also an inside outside threat sort of like Sarah. I also recall that Hollingshead in particular had a very good game against Dorka and Aaliyah two seasons ago and is very capable. This will be a great challenge for Jana in particular. They have lots of pesky quick guards, but so do we. They shoot lots of 3s, but so can we. They press much of the game, but so can we. I’m expecting a win in this game, but I’m not afraid to be proven wrong in this one.

Against SC, I’m expecting a loss but hoping for a win. They are one of the favorites to win the NC and for good reason. But the margin between them and us, between #2 and #6 maybe smaller this year than in any previous one. The bigs who Dawn actually plays are not bigger than ours, maybe even a bit smaller. This hasn’t been the case in a while. But they are very athletic. The loss of Watkins was significant, but they have a very deep frontcourt. Without her, though, there’s no one in SC’s frontcourt who is completely out of Jana’s and Ice’s league. I expect they’ll be outrebounded and outscored, but not embarrassed on the court. They may even hold their own. It’s easy to underestimate how strong those two are.

Oddly, this is the second year that Dawn’s frontcourt is the best part of her team. This is a formidable squad. They shoot 3s at only a slightly lower volume and percentage as we do. An off night from the perimeter for either team could spell the difference in the game. Can we expect another 59 pt outburst from Paige Sarah and Azzi against SC’s stifling defense? I suspect we can. Can we contain PaoPao Fulwiley and Raven? This is a much more difficult question and my crystal ball has no answers.

The most fortunate thing that breaks in our favor is that Dawn can only put 5 on the court at a time. She has to make choices just like Geno. If Geno starts Paige Azzi Sarah Kaitlyn Jana as seems likely, who does Dawn put out there? Raven PaoPao Hall Kitts and Feagin is the better defensive option, though PaoPao is a liability against either Paige or Azzi, and in my view Kitts is no match for Sarah. If she plays Fulwiley instead of Hall, she gives up some defense, but gets a dynamic scorer. And if she subs Tessa for PaoPao, she gets better defense but loses some offensive punch. These are the usual compromises and they mainly come out in Dawn’s favor, but not entirely, and not by much.

Even if we lose both of these games, we gain valuable experience, for Jana and Ice, for Sarah and Ash, for Morgan and Aubrey, for Kaitlyn and KK. I leave Paige and Azzi off this list because they already have plenty of experience in these sorts of games.

 

[Darwin]

Such an original contribution.

Thank you for your interest in UConn women’s basketball.

You are quite welcome.

 

[visitingcock]

The SCar game has been sold out since individual game were offered. I hope the scalpers choke on the their

https://www.stubhub.com/south-carolina-gamecocks-women-s-basketball-columbia-tickets-2-16-2025/event/155268930/?quantity=2

 

[Darwin]

I’m not worried about playing Tennessee and SC in the slightest. We may lose one or both of these games. But our young players will learn a lot in them.

Tennessee is not bigger than our frontcourt (at least not by much), though Hollingshead and Spearman are more experienced and better scorers. Puckett is also an inside outside threat sort of like Sarah. I also recall that Hollingshead in particular had a very good game against Dorka and Aaliyah two seasons ago and is very capable. This will be a great challenge for Jana in particular. They have lots of pesky quick guards, but so do we. They shoot lots of 3s, but so can we. They press much of the game, but so can we. I’m expecting a win in this game, but I’m not afraid to be proven wrong in this one.

Against SC, I’m expecting a loss but hoping for a win. They are one of the favorites to win the NC and for good reason. But the margin between them and us, between #2 and #6 maybe smaller this year than in any previous one. The bigs who Dawn actually plays are not bigger than ours, maybe even a bit smaller. This hasn’t been the case in a while. But they are very athletic. The loss of Watkins was significant, but they have a very deep frontcourt. Without her, though, there’s no one in SC’s frontcourt who is completely out of Jana’s and Ice’s league. I expect they’ll be outrebounded and outscored, but not embarrassed on the court. They may even hold their own. It’s easy to underestimate how strong those two are.

Oddly, this is the second year that Dawn’s frontcourt is the best part of her team. This is a formidable squad. They shoot 3s at only a slightly lower volume and percentage as we do. An off night from the perimeter for either team could spell the difference in the game. Can we expect another 59 pt outburst from Paige Sarah and Azzi against SC’s stifling defense? I suspect we can. Can we contain PaoPao Fulwiley and Raven? This is a much more difficult question and my crystal ball has no answers.

The most fortunate thing that breaks in our favor is that Dawn can only put 5 on the court at a time. She has to make choices just like Geno. If Geno starts Paige Azzi Sarah Kaitlyn Jana as seems likely, who does Dawn put out there? Raven PaoPao Hall Kitts and Feagin is the better defensive option, though PaoPao is a liability against either Paige or Azzi, and in my view Kitts is no match for Sarah. If she plays Fulwiley instead of Hall, she gives up some defense, but gets a dynamic scorer. And if she subs Tessa for PaoPao, she gets better defense but loses some offensive punch. These are the usual compromises and they mainly come out in Dawn’s favor, but not entirely, and not by much.

Even if we lose both of these games, we gain valuable experience, for Jana and Ice, for Sarah and Ash, for Morgan and Aubrey, for Kaitlyn and KK. I leave Paige and Azzi off this list because they already have plenty of experience in these sorts of games.

Joyce Edwards is out of Jana and Ice’s league. I suspect Kitts is as well. Finally, Feagin is better than both of them, the final nail in your assessment coffin.

 

[topogigio]

Gotta' see the replay of the Tenn v Vanderbilt. Shea and Co. took them down yesterday. Wonder if Geno will be calling his protégé.

 

[Bone Dog]

Joyce Edwards is out of Jana and Ice’s league. I suspect Kitts is as well. Finally, Feagin is better than both of them, the final nail in your assessment coffin.

Is it permitted to disagree with your assessment? I can't tell from your peremptory tone.

I am impressed by Joyce Edwards' play. She's just a notch or two below Sarah as a player. A good rebounder and can score in the paint. Defends well. Sarah outplayed her in high school in their only meeting last year.

Jana is not likely to be matched up against Chloe. Not sure what makes you think she would be. That's just weird. Chloe is not a low post banger. Also, when Jana is in the game, which your remark presupposes, Sarah will be too and she'll be shutting Chloe down. Or maybe even Aubrey will take over this task.

I like Feagin's game. She's long and quick for 6'3". Not a great scorer but a talented defender and pretty good rebounder. As I said above -- perhaps you missed it -- I suspect Jana and Ice will not out play Feagin, but neither will they be completely negated. They'll still be able to alter shots, discourage guards driving, grab a few rebounds, etc. That's how the game is played. Not every player has to dominate for a team to have a chance.

But to take you seriously, I don't think Dawn's front court is the real problem facing Geno. It's the backcourt, which is as talented as an SC backcourt has ever been, I suspect.

 

[Darwin]

Is it permitted to disagree with your assessment? I can't tell from your peremptory tone.

I am impressed by Joyce Edwards' play. She's just a notch or two below Sarah as a player. A good rebounder and can score in the paint. Defends well. Sarah outplayed her in high school in their only meeting last year.

Jana is not likely to be matched up against Chloe. Not sure what makes you think she would be. That's just weird. Chloe is not a low post banger. Also, when Jana is in the game, which your remark presupposes, Sarah will be too and she'll be shutting Chloe down. Or maybe even Aubrey will take over this task.

I like Feagin's game. She's long and quick for 6'3". Not a great scorer but a talented defender and pretty good rebounder. As I said above -- perhaps you missed it -- I suspect Jana and Ice will not out play Feagin, but neither will they be completely negated. They'll still be able to alter shots, discourage guards driving, grab a few rebounds, etc. That's how the game is played. Not every player has to dominate for a team to have a chance.

But to take you seriously, I don't think Dawn's front court is the real problem facing Geno. It's the backcourt, which is as talented as an SC backcourt has ever been, I suspect.

That high school game you speak of, Sarah scored 31 and Joyce had 27.

Joyce and Sarah played for team USA in the Americup over the summer. They won gold, Joyce was the team MVP And leading scorer. Joyce is not “a notch or two below” anyone in the freshman class. Different roles on teams with different needs.

Chloe plays the 5 spot at times in most games. She is more than capable of excelling against Ice and Jana when she is down low. I’m not sure where you are getting this confidence for Ice and Janna vs a top ten type team. Have either of those two ever had a good showing against a top 20 type team?

 

[ERWUC65]

Joyce and Sarah played for team USA in the Americup over the summer. They won gold, and Joyce was the team MVP.

"Joyce Edwards shared the MVP title with Sarah Strong in the McDonald's All-American Game, meaning neither technically "won" over the other; they were both recognized for their outstanding performances in the game".

 

[Darwin]

"Joyce Edwards shared the MVP title with Sarah Strong in the McDonald's All-American Game, meaning neither technically "won" over the other; they were both recognized for their outstanding performances in the game".

That is correct for the McDonald’s all American game.

They Also played the FIBA Americup tournament for team USA this summer/Fall. Joyce was voted team and tournament MVP.

 

[Bone Dog]

That high school game you speak of, Sarah scored 31 and Joyce had 27.

Joyce and Sarah played for team USA in the Americup over the summer. They won gold, and Joyce was the team MVP And leading scorer. Joyce is not “a notch or two below” anyone in the freshman class. Different roles on teams with different needs.

Scoring is not the only thing that determines a game. Sarah did a lot more in that game.

I think Joyce is a really good player, maybe the best pure power forward in her class. But her offense is limited compared to Sarah’s, and Sarah is a much better perimeter defender. She has quicker hands and feet. Just to give one example, try to picture Joyce bringing the ball up the court to break a press. Or shooting 3s. Or picking a guard’s pocket at the top of the key.

All that said, I’ll repeat that I expect SC to win the upcoming game. I think they’re just too deep and athletic for us at present. And who knows, maybe it will be because Kitts dominates Jana at center. I doubt this, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility. More likely, Feagin will outplay Jana and Ice with some help from the bigs Dawn has on her bench. But this won’t be the difference maker, in my opinion. It will be Raven & Co outplaying Paige & Co in the backcourt.

If I were game planning this one, I’d want Azzi and Ash to shadow PaoPao, deny her the ball and force her to defend them, and I’d hope KK and Kaitlyn can contain Raven and Milaysia. That would leave Bree and Tessa to guard Paige and vice versa. Don’t let PaoPao Milaysia and Chloe beat us. Force someone else to. And even this may not be enough, because Dawn has a lot of weapons. Will Paige Azzi and Sarah be up to playing 30+ minutes at this point in the season? We’ll have to see.

 

[Cuango]

I’m not worried about playing Tennessee and SC in the slightest. We may lose one or both of these games. But our young players will learn a lot in them.

Tennessee is not bigger than our frontcourt (at least not by much), though Hollingshead and Spearman are more experienced and better scorers. Puckett is also an inside outside threat sort of like Sarah. I also recall that Hollingshead in particular had a very good game against Dorka and Aaliyah two seasons ago and is very capable. This will be a great challenge for Jana in particular. They have lots of pesky quick guards, but so do we. They shoot lots of 3s, but so can we. They press much of the game, but so can we. I’m expecting a win in this game, but I’m not afraid to be proven wrong in this one.

Against SC, I’m expecting a loss but hoping for a win. They are one of the favorites to win the NC and for good reason. But the margin between them and us, between #2 and #6 maybe smaller this year than in any previous one. The bigs who Dawn actually plays are not bigger than ours, maybe even a bit smaller. This hasn’t been the case in a while. But they are very athletic. The loss of Watkins was significant, but they have a very deep frontcourt. Without her, though, there’s no one in SC’s frontcourt who is completely out of Jana’s and Ice’s league. I expect they’ll be outrebounded and outscored, but not embarrassed on the court. They may even hold their own. It’s easy to underestimate how strong those two are.

Oddly, this is the second year that Dawn’s frontcourt is the best part of her team. This is a formidable squad. They shoot 3s at only a slightly lower volume and percentage as we do. An off night from the perimeter for either team could spell the difference in the game. Can we expect another 59 pt outburst from Paige Sarah and Azzi against SC’s stifling defense? I suspect we can. Can we contain PaoPao Fulwiley and Raven? This is a much more difficult question and my crystal ball has no answers.

The most fortunate thing that breaks in our favor is that Dawn can only put 5 on the court at a time. She has to make choices just like Geno. If Geno starts Paige Azzi Sarah Kaitlyn Jana as seems likely, who does Dawn put out there? Raven PaoPao Hall Kitts and Feagin is the better defensive option, though PaoPao is a liability against either Paige or Azzi, and in my view Kitts is no match for Sarah. If she plays Fulwiley instead of Hall, she gives up some defense, but gets a dynamic scorer. And if she subs Tessa for PaoPao, she gets better defense but loses some offensive punch. These are the usual compromises and they mainly come out in Dawn’s favor, but not entirely, and not by much.

Even if we lose both of these games, we gain valuable experience, for Jana and Ice, for Sarah and Ash, for Morgan and Aubrey, for Kaitlyn and KK. I leave Paige and Azzi off this list because they already have plenty of experience in these sorts of games.

I tend to agree that we will likely beat Tennessee and lose to SC! As far as whether we can expect another 59 from the “big three”, I would doubt that very much! If we did somehow, I’m pretty confident we would win the game. While I still believe we are more talented than them, there are two things imo, that will make a win for us highly unlikely. One; we are playing on their court where they are virtually unbeatable! Two; Imo, they are simply tougher than us. It hurts me to say it but…there it is! Obviously, we are a very young team and are not (imo) particularly tough as a team, while SC (credit to Dawn here) are (to quote Vic Schaefer), “like piranhas on a roast!”) Nevertheless, I do think it is possible that we could walk out of there with a win but a lot of things have to go our way in order for that to happen!
Basically, we are going to need some help from them! They need to shoot poorly, we need to light it up. Also, we must find a way to respond to their physical play without sending them to the free throw line and relegating our young team to the bench! Obviously, it is particularly critical that our “big three” avoid getting in foul trouble. Jana needs to play her best game and Ice needs to give us some good minutes against the SC bigs. I have an idea Ash will step up in this game and could be a difference maker. Finally, if Aubrey can get her groove back by then, she could also be a difference maker. After all, our defense ain’t exactly chopped liver!
Of course, having said all that, if we are able to overcome their defensive pressure and shoot like we did against Seton Hall, then all bets are off! Conversely, if they are able to beat us down and get a big lead from the get go, then it’s likely to be a very long afternoon indeed! Finally, (for real this time) we need some fair officiating!
Still, in the end, though I think we will lose, I agree that our young players will grow tremendously from the experience and be better equipped to face them should we have to play them in the FF!

 

[HuskyNan]

Joyce Edwards is out of Jana and Ice’s league. I suspect Kitts is as well. Finally, Feagin is better than both of them, the final nail in your assessment coffin.

Just remember - you’re here only as long as I can stand you.

 

[HuskyNan]

We are not turning this into a South Carolina thread. We set up a board just for that purpose and it’s not this one.

 

[visitingcock]

We are not turning this into a South Carolina thread. We set up a board just for that purpose and it’s not this one.

After we finish our gauntlet )Sunday against Tenn), I’ll open a special dogs vs cocks thread on the General board where we can speak more freely - but respectfully.

It’s still too early folks. We have LSU this week and then Texas at their place before we host UConn