The 5 Things That We Need To Do And Will Do To Get #12

[HuskyNan]

As of this moment, I expect SC and UConn are the two best defensive teams in D1, probably ranked 1 & 2. The problem for UConn is that SC is also very likely the best offensive team, and while UConn has the potential to challenge them in this category, we’re probably ranked somewhere around 6. This isn’t a bad ranking, but it’s not what you want going into a game with the team ranked #1 in both categories.

On defense, correct, the teams are close although I acknowledge SC’s stronger strength of schedule. On offense - so many people have freaked out about mere 25 point wins, they haven’t noticed UConn is actually pretty good.

 

[HuskyNan]

For Scoring Offense, UConn is #28 with 79.4 points averaged a game

 

[BBallF]

They press the whole game. You aren’t gonna use Sara?

Yes, of course, I was referring to Jana and Ice whose minutes would be limited, and not to Sarah and Aubrey, the latter of whose minutes would be limited for other reasons..

 

[Conndog]

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For Scoring Offense, UConn is #28 with 79.4 points averaged a game

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The statistic that says it all about SC’s biggest threat is #shots taken- they lead the country. This is due to relentless rebounding since shooting percentage has them at #19 versus UConn at #1. Aubrey’s return will definitely help with rebounding, but limiting turnovers and boxing out will determine who wins that game.

 

[Bone Dog]

The statistic that says it all about SC’s biggest threat is #shots taken- they lead the country. This is due to relentless rebounding since shooting percentage has them at #19 versus UConn at #1. Aubrey’s return will definitely help with rebounding, but limiting turnovers and boxing out will determine who wins that game.

The interesting thing about SC’s rebounding is that nearly half come from their guards, more than half in some games. For example, in the blowout of OU, 22 of their 42 rebounds, and 5 of their 15 O-boards. Boxing out will be key, but it may not be a matter of boxing out their bigs. In this sort of rebounding environment, I think you’re right about Aubrey making a difference, as well as Morgan Ash and KK, who are all active rebounders. We’ll see if they’re up to this challenge.

 

[Jaml]

My 5 things:
1- Paige and Azzi healthy
2- Sarah and Ice healthy
3- Aubrey and Ashlynn healthy
4- Kaitlyn and Morgan healthy
5- Jana, Q, and KK healthy

Not too much to ask for, right?

It's actually not enough to ask - Allie healthy too.

 

[Tonyc]

This is a good thread. If our Big 3 get on a run UConn could be in very good shape. SC must absolutely know where our Big 3 at all times.

Its gonna come down to defense by both teams. Its also gonna come down to more than the Big 3 putting up points. Our Big 3 will get theirs, everybody else has to score too. Poise and not letting SC's defense speed us up is a big key for UConn.

Having Azzi and Griff on the floor could be the difference for UConn

SC has LSU and Texas coming up. Dont wanna miss those games.

 

[cancontent]

How can that be if Paige wasn't on the team?

I think they meant on paper, excluding injuries. That's how I took it.

 

[Dugway]

This is a good thread. If our Big 3 get on a run UConn could be in very good shape. SC must absolutely know where our Big 3 at all times.

Its gonna come down to defense by both teams. Its also gonna come down to more than the Big 3 putting up points. Our Big 3 will get theirs, everybody else has to score too. Poise and not letting SC's defense speed us up is a big key for UConn.

Having Azzi and Griff on the floor could be the difference for UConn

SC has LSU and Texas coming up. Dont wanna miss those games.

Yes, LSU playing in Columbia today!

 

[tchalla1]

Yes, LSU playing in Columbia today!

I think it's tomorrow in Columbia...

 

[ConnMotors]

I think it's tomorrow in Columbia...

Game has been rescheduled to Friday

 

[sun]

LSU looks like they could be a handful this year and beating them may very well be one of the 5 things UConn needs to do to win #12.
And it won't matter whether they beat South Carolina or not, they'll have some weapons to contend with.

 

[sun]

LSU looks like they could be a handful this year and beating them may very well be one of the 5 things UConn needs to do to win #12.
And it won't matter whether they beat South Carolina or not, they'll have some weapons to contend with.

Imagine a match up between Morrow & Strong.
That could be the "battle of the year."
They're like 2 peas in a pod.

 

[Bone Dog]

Imagine a match up between Morrow & Strong.
That could be the "battle of the year."
They're like 2 peas in a pod.

I don’t think so, though there are similarities. Sarah is an excellent perimeter shooter, has excellent handles and scores really well at the rim. She’s also a great passer with a great a/to ratio. By contrast, Aneesah is not a great passer and her handles outside the lane are only so-so. But she has that same incredible tenacity going for rebounds that Angel had, and like her is a bit range-limited in her scoring. She’s shooting 40% from 3, but that’s only on 15 attempts. Her overall shooting percentage is ~54%, which would be pretty efficient for a guard. But she scores mainly in the lane or the low post. What this means is that like Angel she gets a lot of O-boards off her own missed layups. She also gets ~1/4 of her points at the free throw line.

Above all, Sarah is not a stat-stuffer and Aneesah is. Still, great players have a way of controlling a game even if their stats are misleading. Aneesah most definitely controls games. This is a matchup I’d love to see some day.

 

[BBallF]

Imagine a match up between Morrow & Strong.
That could be the "battle of the year."
They're like 2 peas in a pod.

I agree with Bone Dog. Two different players. That is why it would be a great match up.