Tennessee Postgame Thread

[Martin84]

To be honest, they should have known this by now. And they should have improved.

It kills me to be negative … I would prefer to be happy with ANY win. But I struggle to see any improvement between ND -> USC -> TN. It feels like we are still consistently losing in the same way. The poor shooting is absolutely the worst and we continue to shoot like crap in important games and go lights out in games that mean nothing. Why?? I wish I knew.

Not necessarily negative, but if it is, Geno shares some similar observations.

 

[Martin84]

True. What gets frustrating is it appears some posters think it's Geno's decision to play in BE, and that if he just made a phone call tomorrow, we could still play this year in last 8 games of ACC.

One item we are lucky with is that teams like Tenn and SC, are willing to play us in Feb, during conference play. Most teams play 0 out of conference games past Dec.

Without these Feb games, we would have no chance to benchmark v good teams prior to ncaa.

Obviously, what's in it for them is it 's great for WBB, and they can have big TV games and electric crowds. Something tells me Coach Caldwell will be happy to continue the series.

Of course, it’s a good win for them.

 

[Martin84]

The score was tied with 2 minutes left in the game. It was a two point game with 20 seconds left.
Give Tennessee credit. Our Huskies didn't have their best game, but they lost in the last 10 seconds.
Not sure primetime was the reason!

They lost in the last 10 seconds due to the way they played the last 20 minutes.

 

[Zonepress]

Azzi and Ashlynn play to their potential, even without the height, we can beat anyone. Paige needs to be more aggressive but she’s always good at least. Sarah always shows up. I think the key will be Ashlynn because I think Azzi will show up. Jana plays hard but she is who she is at this point. I’ve noticed in the big games, Ashlynn misses all of her shots and if that changes, we will be hard to beat. But Geno is right, overall, the best players on our team should be the best players on the floor. I could be wrong about this but I was thinking. Is there a lack of leadership? I think they don’t hold each other as accountable as prior teams because no one wants to be the bad guy. Just feels that way. This may be exactly what we needed. I hate to say this, but if Paige isn’t the best player on the floor against South Carolina, in a win, then we know it’s not in her. I’m not giving them an excuse but Paige and these players haven’t had the chance to grow together like teams in the past because of injuries and covid. I think things would be different if it was a normal career for

No way Vanderbilt, or Oklahoma is more athletic than UConn, but they beat Tennessee this season. The athleticism thing is just an excuse. It seems that Geno needs to start looking at the kind of players he recruits or looking in the mirror at why some of his better players struggle against the better teams. However, I believe UConn will at least make it to the Elite Eight this season. I also think the game against SC will not be close with UConn on the losing end. Athleticism, combined with better talent will prevail in that regard and

I'm not sure what else he could say. After watching the game he is spot on. He can teach basketball, but not toughness, confidence or attitude... things UConn players used to have, perhaps not so much now.

I was just surprised at how honest and frank he wa

 

[CL82]

I really like Auriemma's comments on the importance of game stats.

What did you learn about your team?

(It's) Hard (to win) if you don't get contributions from you players. Kk, Aubrey, Sarah played well. But some players on out team that are supposed to be our best players need to play better in big games. We didn't make big plays at crucial points in the game and that's what is the difference when two good teams play each other.

 

[Martin84]

Wouldn't it be great if we could give Geno a call and fill him in on our expertise and see what the thinks.
A coach/armchair coach roundtable so to speak. I'd pay money to see that.
We'd have to be present at a few practices though to get an idea of what's happening.

It would be great if media would ask more challenging questions

 

[Zonepress]

I am frustrated by Paige as well. It bothers me to state this as she is my favorite player, surpassing Sue Bird. Lest we forget, she had a tremendous march in the BE tourney and NCAA up until the Iowa game. Last year, she was a given for a post-up basket or two. She drove to the basket more, and initiated contact on occasions. So, I don't think we have to go back to her freshman season to see what is missing this year.

Like many others, I was expecting her to ratchet her game to another level this year. I was excited with her preseason proclamation of being more assertive offensively, looking for her shot. Instead, the last 4 games, she has shot 23-60 from the floor, and was barely a factor in the first half of each game. To her credit, she picked it up in the 2nd half of the Creighton game.

I do believe issues with Paige are more mental than physical. She stubbornly wants to do things her way, yet it's costing the team. She plays the way she wants things to be rather than the way they are. This team needs someone to take over when games get tight or players act tentatively. As a fifth-year player, with a stated purpose of winning a NC, what is she waiting for?

Mentally, she was checked out of the DePaul game. I chalked it up to another mundane Big East game. I expected her to come out last night firing on all cylinders, especially after a couple of subpar outings.

Am I and others being unrealistic? Do we expect too much from her? Despite our criticisms, she's still shooting over 50% from the field, over 40% from 3-pt, and has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3 to 1.

Maybe there's too much pressure on her, or maybe she's placing/carrying too much pressure on her shoulders. I enjoy watching her play, even more so when she is playing with joy. Unfortunately, I'm not seeing that lately. As her college career is quickly winding down, I hope she lets the noise, pressure and other distractions go and simply go out and play ball.

There was a play at the end, I believe the second quarter think 11 seconds left
And KK got the ball went the length of court and took a very difficult shot with about five seconds to go and missed
It’s Really hard to understand why PB one of the best one on one players in Wbb
did not have the ball in that situation to either shoot
Or create a good opportunity for another player
I’m sure the couch wanted her to have the ball

Imho that one play speaks volumes about the struggles this team has had in big games

 

[GoUconn7961]

perhaps paige would benefit from the stewie/tuck treatment i.e. bench her for a whole game. maybe geno's preaching finally would get through. paige talks a good game, but apparently she can't like lick her stubborn streak. she has been advised over and over by coaches since high school to be more assertive.

she can be who she is, but i think it's far past time to take that advice to heart or discover the reason she is unable to be an alpha). when she was NPOY she didn't need to have that leadership -- she had others with seniority who provided it. she is a fabulous basketball player, not so much a leader on the basketball court. sue bird learned to lead early with the help of geno's tough love. maybe it should be employed again. it sure would be difficult to bench the best player, but that's what stewie was.

Agree 100% with this take. We've got some easy BE games left to be able to do that.

 

[PacoSwede]

I was just surprised at how honest and frank he wa

if only those players would meditate on what geno said and do something about it. introspection is needed; it's on them.

 

[UCTitleTown]

My main takeaway is there are some players that aren't contributing much and definitely underachieving vs what was expected when they committed. I think playing time needs to be commensurate with game contributions.

 

[freshler40]

As frustrating as it is to watch so many layups and put-backs missed, many times the UConn player after shooting just watches and, I guess, hopes it goes in. They need to stay there and anticipate a miss and grab the rebound instead of being passive observers. Sarah is the only one who follows the shot/ this should be emphasized in practice when they do set after set of layups (hopefully)

Good point, too many just hang back and watch their missed magic. Surely a different type of player than 20 years ago.
I'd like to hear, from the Boneyard, what the current thinking is about how to cure the missed layups. As in foul shooting drills, do you just repeat the moving layups over and over until it ingrained? I also notice that many shoot the layups with a closed hand facing the basket rather than a softer underhand. Seems like many layups are wildly missed, some don't even hit the rim. Some players like Paige show down a bit while approaching the hoop while others like KK are full tilt. What is current best practice based upon metrics or winning coaches? Is missing contagious like a virus?

 

[WiseWillie]

He has had Sarah Strong take the opening tip the last two games.

Jumping requires a strong achilles for the foot and leg involved to push off and that may be a factor in Jana not wanting to re-tear her achilles. It's natural for a young athlete after their first major injury (and the achilles tear I believe is Jana's first major injury/surgery) may be very cautious afterwards. Everyone heals differently and while Jana appears to run well something like that could make her reluctant to push it by stretching her achilles too strenuously and tearing it again just to win the opening tip.

 

[HuskieDawg]

Jumping requires a strong achilles for the foot and leg involved to push off and that may be a factor in Jana not wanting to re-tear her achilles. It's natural for a young athlete after their first major injury (and the achilles tear I believe is Jana's first major injury/surgery) may be very cautious afterwards. Everyone heals differently and while Jana appears to run well something like that could make her reluctant to push it by stretching her achilles too strenuously and tearing it again just to win the opening tip.

I really don’t care much who wins the opening tip, I was just answering a question someone had asked.

 

[WiseWillie]

Good point, too many just hang back and watch their missed magic. Surely a different type of player than 20 years ago.
I'd like to hear, from the Boneyard, what the current thinking is about how to cure the missed layups. As in foul shooting drills, do you just repeat the moving layups over and over until it ingrained? I also notice that many shoot the layups with a closed hand facing the basket rather than a softer underhand. Seems like many layups are wildly missed, some don't even hit the rim. Some players like Paige show down a bit while approaching the hoop while others like KK are full tilt. What is current best practice based upon metrics or winning coaches? Is missing contagious like a virus?

The three fundamentals focused on with young players starting very early in layup drills are footwork, hand skills and body control, approaching the basket at different speeds and angles with obstacles or challenging players in the lane and at the basket and then the three r's - repeat, repeat, repeat. Hard to believe that at this level of Div I basketball the skills required to make a lay-up in all types of game scenarios are not a given. Doubtful many Div I coaches think they need to spend much time on lay-up drills.

 

[Urshurak]

Most of the comments here, plus Geno's is a great summary.

Lack of confidence and TOUGHNESS, BOTH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL is what is plaguing this team. Ashlynn has to figure it out as she is not helping this team against tough competition. Thats just one example. Lack of post play is certainly another (rebounding was awful...)

 

[MooseJaw]

There was a play at the end, I believe the second quarter think 11 seconds left
And KK got the ball went the length of court and took a very difficult shot with about five seconds to go and missed
It’s Really hard to understand why PB one of the best one on one players in Wbb
did not have the ball in that situation to either shoot
Or create a good opportunity for another player
I’m sure the couch wanted her to have the ball

Imho that one play speaks volumes about the struggles this team has had in big games

exactly, and it has hardly been just the game last night. If Paige has any hope of getting that trophy she has to take charge, have the ball, and make plays like she has up until this year. Last night UConn seemed timid on O. A number of alligator arms waiting instead of going to passes or rebounds.
We start how many number one H.S. players starting games? I think I heard 3, so three # 1's, the best of the best, but they sometimes play like they were, or are at the bottom of the top 100.

 

[AzzisBraids]

An interesting take, Azzibraids, but is Azzi really one of the best offensive players if she needs "triple, elevator and quadruple screens to help her get that shot off cleanly?"

Yikes! What a condemnation of the young woman to admit that she can't create her own shots. We knew that about Nika Muhl and accepted it... we hope for more from Azzi.

I'd bet there are hundreds of players in WCBB who could shoot 40-45 percent from three if given clean shots all the time. Azzi is touted to be better than that, isn't she?

Fudd's shot is better, when assisted. She created all she had against Tennessee so she can do it, but she's a top tier catch and shooter. It's a preference. Azzi is known for that and teams are denying her from even catching the ball.

Caldwell's scout was to attack Azzi Fudd on offense, limit her with fouls and make her a non-factor. It was like they forgot she was on the floor on offense and I didn't see 1 play where they set 1 screen to get her an open look. They all stood around on the Perimeter jump shooting.

Azzi is shooting 42% and she's not even getting plays ran from her, she's moving around getting herself open. She shot 50% from 3 last night. All I am saying is when you have a player like that, you get them open. Is Stephen Curry a great offensive player if he receives every screen we've ever seen in basketball to get open? We all know the answer to that.

 

[SCyankee]

Jumping requires a strong achilles for the foot and leg involved to push off and that may be a factor in Jana not wanting to re-tear her achilles. It's natural for a young athlete after their first major injury (and the achilles tear I believe is Jana's first major injury/surgery) may be very cautious afterwards. Everyone heals differently and while Jana appears to run well something like that could make her reluctant to push it by stretching her achilles too strenuously and tearing it again just to win the opening tip.

I agree that injuries may be a factor but she also never plays more than 5 minutes consecutively. Then Geno seems to forget about her for large portions of the game. Jana needs to play she already watched the team for 1.5 seasons. Training (practice) prepares to play in the game, but young players need actual game experience.

 

[Rowdy831]

Wouldn't it be great if we could give Geno a call and fill him in on our expertise and see what the thinks.
A coach/armchair coach roundtable so to speak. I'd pay money to see that.
We'd have to be present at a few practices though to get an idea of what's happening.

Just think, some coaches will have social media their whole careers. Fans have always been Monday morning experts, the only thing that has changes is how it is talked about now. Geno is a big boy and he understands when his team isn't ready to compete that falls on his shoulders too. It does NOT mean we don't appreciate him or think is isn't still the best. It is simply conversation.

 

[Rowdy831]

Not going to name players, however, Geno needs to decide what is going on with this team and fast.

The team has no fire. Way too laid back. How many games has the team come out slow and sometime lethargic. Who is the real starting 5? If it's the small lineup as Geno has mentioned, then play that lineup!! Can't even win the opening tip.

The offense is a 3 player rotation, 2 guards and a small forward. Relying on just those 3 will not get it done. Only two have been consistant. A fourth scorer has not been developed nor has a post presence been developed. You are not going to develop your big post when you start her and pull her out after 5 minutes in the 1st quarter. Posts will not grow without playing time and working through their "mistakes." That's on Geno.

Geno has spent the season playing just about everybody in every game. I get the need to find out what the young ones can do.There is practice. I beleive he has done this at the expense of the 8 or 9 that should have the significant minutes every game. I don't buy the argument that you have to rest your best players during the season or they'll be tired by tournament time. That's pure BS. These are highly skilled and conditioned athletes. Last year proved my point.

There was a small period of time last night when the offense and defense was clicking. But it didn't last long enough. And a couple of the starters were on the bench.

For the great coaching job that Geno did last season with a depleated squad, not seeing that this season.

It's not Geno time yet. Last year at this time they sucked too and everyone thought they would lose in the first round. This team is loaded with talent and when the time comes they will shine. I do agree that they don't play with fire and that will need to change.

 

[pvdoggy]

I really like Auriemma's comments on the importance of game stats.

Geno sounds very frustrated with Paige.

 

[Rowdy831]

Reading between the lines, it seems like Geno is super frustrated with our 'superstar'... more than usual. hope she can wake up, or they can see eye to eye, whatever.... soon.

He has taken Paige out of control of the team and put it in the hands of KC and that isn't on Paige. Last night they got out hustled and out worked on the boards. That is not on Paige.

 

[Rowdy831]

No way Vanderbilt, or Oklahoma is more athletic than UConn, but they beat Tennessee this season. The athleticism thing is just an excuse. It seems that Geno needs to start looking at the kind of players he recruits or looking in the mirror at why some of his better players struggle against the better teams. However, I believe UConn will at least make it to the Elite Eight this season. I also think the game against SC will not be close with UConn on the losing end. Athleticism, combined with better talent will prevail in that game.

I don't think UConn will play one team more athletic, but they have played a few with more effort and urgency. It isn't the ability of the players it is their approach.

 

[Rowdy831]

No way Vanderbilt, or Oklahoma is more athletic than UConn, but they beat Tennessee this season. The athleticism thing is just an excuse. It seems that Geno needs to start looking at the kind of players he recruits or looking in the mirror at why some of his better players struggle against the better teams. However, I believe UConn will at least make it to the Elite Eight this season. I also think the game against SC will not be close with UConn on the losing end. Athleticism, combined with better talent will prevail in that game.

Is it the players or is it the other coaches? Geno and CD are constants but maybe some of the issues are losing a coach like Shea and not replacing her with an equal. When you look at the bench every coach looks about as excited as the players looked last night.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

How many "wake up calls" are needed? If basketball's winningest coach hasn't been able to do it over all the years that Paige has been a Husky maybe it's time for all of us stubborn, bone-headed Boneyarders (that includes yours truly) to realize that it just ain't gonna happen. Paige takes the alpha dog role when she can take advantage of poor defense of mediocre teams but in big games against highly ranked competition she lays back for whatever reason. Waiting for the game to come to her? In big games that should not apply. It is in those times that the best player needs to set the example and take the lead. At this time of the season, a clear leader in the biggest games is needed.

Bueckers to my mind takes a lot of pride in making the correct basketball decision. And it's remarkable how seldom she makes a bad decision or takes a bad shot.

I don't think that is a negative, personally, but I can see how fans would want the superstar to take over. I'm not sure that would help the outcome though.

I think probably she needs a better effort from the supporting cast to win a championship.

 

[Rowdy831]

I am as critical as the next fan but I have a couple thoughts. First the shooting is not going to be as good against Tennessee who plays a frantic defense as it is against teams like Butler. The second is the players are capable and thinking they can't do the job is wrong. What I see missing is the urgency in games against good teams and the ability to identify when you have the opponent on the ropes. UConn had a couple times where they could have broken Tennessee and they didn't close the door.

I love watching UConn and will always be a huge fan of Geno but I will also always be a Monday morning QB. Doesn't make me right but it also doesn't mean I don't respect the players or the coach. This team isn't playing to its potential but I think you will see a different approach by Geno and the leaders on the court.

 

[HuskyNan]

The good thing about sports, is that when one team loses to another with inarguably lesser player talent, there are documentable reasons on offer. Flat, tactical analysis, separated from the emotional.

The box score and game film. Review of previous losses, for patterns. Lessons learned, and move on.

Here, the box score (apologies for the source lol, but it's the only one I could find with +/-, which is critical) is informative. As is rewatching with pause and slow motion on the DVR.

Hard to discuss frankly owing to the sensitive nature of the topic, so perhaps, better to leave this with, for me, coach's rotations this season have been sub-optimal. Not a problem so far in the Big East, where the talent gap has been absolutely massive. But against better opponents, where the gap is far less but still present, coach's over-reliance on certain players (not including Strong in this, of course), over others has impacted results.

The official +/- is in post #31

 

[ERWUC65]

In our 3 losses, Shade is 6-22 from the floor and 1-9 from 3. She has got to figure this out. And her misses are absolute bricks.

All the ability in the world, a gym rat if there ever was one and a great personality. Certainly as fit if not more so than anyone on the team and plays a AA level defense, going out full until she rests. BUT, and that's a big but, she has the heavy shoes syndrome that keeps good athletes from becoming great. Yes, it's in the mind, but you all have seen it before, plays great against the easy guys then just tightens up (I'm being nice here, you all know the word) when the games get difficult. You know, Azzi went to a sports psychologist for a problem, didn't want to, fought it, but eventually did it and she exhorts the results today. I wonder if that might help Ash. She certainly can be the one of the keys that can bring us a national championship.

 

[victor64]

Azzi was outplayed all night, bad defensive game for her. A very below average O game for her. From a player who we all thought was capable of being a top 5 player, Azzi is not that player. Her O game is spotty, good one night or 2 than almost nothing. For a player we were counting on she just hasn't delivered. Can she, I don't know what to think, I have watched every game a number of times and feel she is playing OK, most of the time but a top player, not yet. If you play afraid to foul, you may as well take a seat.

I thought she had her worst night as a Husky. Not up to standard on offense either. Not a great night shooting but her decision making was not good. It was like the moment was too big for her which seems odd.

 

[msf22b]

Geno's frustration is under-reported in this thread
Listening to him praise whom he praised and left out whom he
left out...and the the comment about his "stars"

I almost can't remember when he (what we used to call)
took part in "throwing players under the bus."...
Even if he didn't name names...he certainly did that last night.

It's as if he has (for now) lost control over the team...
and especially its stars
This has happened before...
Stevie's first year, mid-season, where he admitted as much.

The question is...Can he get get it back and for the team to
fire on all cylinders in the big games.

I don't know the answer...but he's done it before.

 

[DemonDeac22]

I think we all need a little patience with this team. The Tennessee game was a great litmus test and learning experience as will be the South Carolina game. 6 of the 10 primary players are in only their 1st or 2nd year of playing regular season games, KC is in her first year in the UConn system, Azzi has come back from being out all last year and that leaves Paige and Aubrey. This team is building to mid-March and they will gel with another 5 weeks until the NCAA tourney. Take a deep breath, don’t get alarmed with a 4-pt loss in a lion’s den and expect to see tremendous player and team growth between now and March 17. The sky is not falling.

 

[msf22b]

Tough piece in the Courant by Emily Adams
Not dissimilar to much of the analysis here
but concise and brutally honest.

 

[uconnfan68]

Bueckers to my mind takes a lot of pride in making the correct basketball decision. And it's remarkable how seldom she makes a bad decision or takes a bad shot.

I don't think that is a negative, personally, but I can see how fans would want the superstar to take over. I'm not sure that would help the outcome though.

I think probably she needs a better effort from the supporting cast to win a championship.

I don’t know if something is bothering her, or whether our expectations are too high, or what… but I’m shocked she messed up a crossover dribble and almost lost the ball. She’s just a bit shaky out there. She didn’t pull the trigger on a late 3 because she missed a few earlier. That’s not the freshman NPOY.

 

[LOVE4BBALL]

I like the fact that Strong, freshman, or not, isn't afraid to shoot, or try things in the game, like the potential behind the back with the ball move early in the game. But everyone else seems tentative, and they lack the confidence to shoot anything besides a layup.

 

[ERWUC65]

Azzi was outplayed all night, bad defensive game for her. A very below average O game for her. From a player who we all thought was capable of being a top 5 player, Azzi is not that player. Her O game is spotty, good one night or 2 than almost nothing. For a player we were counting on she just hasn't delivered. Can she, I don't know what to think, I have watched every game a number of times and feel she is playing OK, most of the time but a top player, not yet. If you play afraid to foul, you may as well take a seat.

It is unfortunately that we have two, not one players, both named A... who are showing up Absent when needed. And, perhaps for different reasons, but both lacking confidence to play up to their abilities in difficult games. If this problem persists, then an early exit in the tournament is very likely. This not cured by practice or in meaningless BE games, either you have it or you don't and it is problematic that it seems to have spread throughout the team.

 

[Zonepress]

Is it the players or is it the other coaches? Geno and CD are constants but maybe some of the issues are losing a coach like Shea and not replacing her with an equal. When you look at the bench every coach looks about as excited as the players looked last night.

UConn has been to 2 final fours since shea left

 

[Tufkas]

The official +/- is in post #31

Oops! Apologies - lost in the amalgam of churn. Came in late this time, and started on page 7ish. Lesson learned! However, the box score at the link I provided has minutes AND seconds played for each player, which explains why some box scores have 19 minutes for Shade (truncated), while others have 20 (rounded)!

 

[JellyBean]

Tough loss but I gotta tip my hat to the Lady Vols. They held on and kept their composure down the stretch. Good win for them and a tough loss for our beloved UConn squad. We just have to learn from this game and get ready for the next one.

I overlooked Tennessee after some of their struggles over the last few games. I figured that we would be able to handle their press, knock down some shots, and get the win. Boy was I wrong. I mean we handled their pressure pretty well. The only problem was we didn't make shots, especially the layups. Our shot selection, normally on the money, was off and that hurts. Tough loss but a huge win for the Lady Vols and Coach Caldwell.