The Azzi Experiment

[MilfordHusky]

Sue Bird did it in the 2001-02 season .505/.466/.942.

No wonder she won all the POY awards!

 

[oldude]

Sabrina's stats by year:

.390/.420/.825

.468/.438/.805

.443/.429/.883

.518/.392/.921

Her senior season was the only year in which she was over .500 overall and over .900 on FTs, but also the only year in which her 3-point shooting dipped under .400. Thus, I don't see her having a season of 50/40/90.

I stand corrected. Also worth noting that Kelsey Plum shot 54-42–88 her senior year to also just miss the Holy Grail.

 

[MilfordHusky]

EDD was close to 50/40/90 most years, but never made it:

.477/.413/.898

.419/.350/.944

.520/.413/.889

.487/.452/.921

For her college CAREER, she shot 48/41/91.

As most of you know, she did achieve 50/40/90 for a season in the WNBA (2019). She was the MVP.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I stand corrected. Also worth noting that Kelsey Plum shot 54-42–88 her senior year to also just miss the Holy Grail.

I didn't remember Sabrina achieving that, so I had to check. She was a better 3-point shooter than I remembered.

Plum is a player who could approach 50/40/90 at any level.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Azzi has 50/40/90 potential. I'd love to see her achieve it. Same for P. Buckets!

 

[Jumper33]

I referenced Caitlin Clark in my OP. Out of curiosity, I took a look at her shooting stats from her NPOY season last year. She was 2nd in the nation in scoring at 27+ ppg behind only Maddy Siegrist. Clark was 3rd in the nation in shots per game behind Aneesh Morrow & Siegrist.

The “Holy Grail” of shooting is 50-40-90, something that I believe only Sabrina Ionescu has ever achieved. Clark did not hit a single one of the three milestones, shooting 47% from the field, 38% from the arc and 83% from the FT line, all respectable numbers. Those numbers placed her 106th, 45th and 64th respectively among all DI WBB players last season, and yet, most WBB fans and pundits consider Clark to be the best shooter in WBB.

To be fair Clark takes many more high-difficulty 3s than anyone else. She’s taking a ton of unassisted, pull-up, deep 3s. Often double-teamed. Shooting 38% from 3 considering the level of difficulty shots she’s taking is super impressive, and that’s where her reputation comes from.

 

[oldude]

To be fair Clark takes many more high-difficulty 3s than anyone else. She’s taking a ton of unassisted, pull-up, deep 3s. Often double-teamed. Shooting 38% from 3 considering the level of difficulty shots she’s taking is super impressive, and that’s where her reputation comes from.

Maybe the NCAA should add a new “degree of difficulty” category.

 

[EricSD]

Maybe the NCAA should add a new “degree of difficulty” category.

Or... a 4 point shot!

 

[wingsfan055]

I don't mind Azzi or Paige becoming more "volume" shooters, if their assist numbers also go up. In the past few seasons, teams have been packing the paint and/or daring perimeter shots (since UConn rarely had more than 1 good shooter on the floor with all the injuries). If teams are forced to cover multiple good shooters, that should free up space inside and for other players, making the offense more fluid. That's what made the great UConn teams great.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

To be fair Clark takes many more high-difficulty 3s than anyone else. She’s taking a ton of unassisted, pull-up, deep 3s. Often double-teamed. Shooting 38% from 3 considering the level of difficulty shots she’s taking is super impressive, and that’s where her reputation comes from.

She could simply not take those shots ya know

 

[wingsfan055]

Paige's freshman year (Player of Year) stats: 52/46/87, w/5 rebounds and 6 assists a game.
Fudd's freshman year stats: 45/43/91

Both players' numbers came down (along with number of games and MPG) with their subsequent "injury" years. I'd be happy if both players put up those same stats for an entire season. Both can improve on those numbers if everything goes right.

 

[HopJim]

The greatest shooters in basketball “have no conscience.” I sat through games when KML bricked her first five 3-pt shots and then went on a tear hitting shot after shot. I’ve watched games where Katie Lou couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean and then, if my magic, everything started to fall for her. Having a shooters mindset is critical to being a great shooter.

Following the UConn “Exhibition Game” vs Pecs, Hungary there was considerable chatter on the BY about Azzi’s 9 for 31 shooting performance, with lots of questions and concerns about both the volume of shots that she took as well as the number of shots that she missed. I finally watched the game last night and I have a personal observation.

While I have no inside information on what Geno discussed with Azzi and the team before the game, it appears quite apparent that UConn was conducting something I will refer to as the Azzi experiment. The evidence is quite simple. Azzi is a consummate team player who always takes her shots in rhythm during the flow of the game. During the game against Pecs, Azzi shot the ball every time she had a sliver of space and several times when she was covered.

Azzi was catching and releasing the ball faster than I have ever seen her. She was taking and making some shots from “Caitlin Clark” territory. UConn, who typically runs a beautiful motion offense, was often just getting the ball to Azzi and letting her fire away. One action the Huskies ran over and over was to have Nika bring the ball up and dribble to the wing, where she would simply hand the ball to Azzi at the arc, who then fired away. Azzi made 9 pretty remarkable shots. Of course, she also missed 22 shots.

Normally, if any UConn player was firing away and missing as much as Azzi was against Pecs, she would earn herself a spot on the bench. But throughout the game, both Azzi and Geno appeared completely unfazed by the volume of missed shots. Hence, my conclusion that the shooting spree by Azzi was a plan by Geno to get Azzi to be more aggressive and comfortable taking over on the offensive end.

As I said in the postgame thread, I doubt that Azzi will ever take 31 shots or miss 22 shots in a regular season game. But having watched the Pecs game, it seems absolutely apparent that Geno wants Azzi to be far more aggressive on offense, and when she is matched up again on the court with her BFF, the show that is UConn WBB will be something to behold.

Dude, good comments. I did not read much negative commentary regarding Azzi's shooting, particularly since she was relatively solid the first 3 games. Believe that most of the Boneyard understood and supported the thoughts you expressed.

 

[DEpup]

The greatest shooters in basketball “have no conscience.” I sat through games when KML bricked her first five 3-pt shots and then went on a tear hitting shot after shot. I’ve watched games where Katie Lou couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean and then, if my magic, everything started to fall for her. Having a shooters mindset is critical to being a great shooter.

Following the UConn “Exhibition Game” vs Pecs, Hungary there was considerable chatter on the BY about Azzi’s 9 for 31 shooting performance, with lots of questions and concerns about both the volume of shots that she took as well as the number of shots that she missed. I finally watched the game last night and I have a personal observation.

While I have no inside information on what Geno discussed with Azzi and the team before the game, it appears quite apparent that UConn was conducting something I will refer to as the Azzi experiment. The evidence is quite simple. Azzi is a consummate team player who always takes her shots in rhythm during the flow of the game. During the game against Pecs, Azzi shot the ball every time she had a sliver of space and several times when she was covered.

Azzi was catching and releasing the ball faster than I have ever seen her. She was taking and making some shots from “Caitlin Clark” territory. UConn, who typically runs a beautiful motion offense, was often just getting the ball to Azzi and letting her fire away. One action the Huskies ran over and over was to have Nika bring the ball up and dribble to the wing, where she would simply hand the ball to Azzi at the arc, who then fired away. Azzi made 9 pretty remarkable shots. Of course, she also missed 22 shots.

Normally, if any UConn player was firing away and missing as much as Azzi was against Pecs, she would earn herself a spot on the bench. But throughout the game, both Azzi and Geno appeared completely unfazed by the volume of missed shots. Hence, my conclusion that the shooting spree by Azzi was a plan by Geno to get Azzi to be more aggressive and comfortable taking over on the offensive end.

As I said in the postgame thread, I doubt that Azzi will ever take 31 shots or miss 22 shots in a regular season game. But having watched the Pecs game, it seems absolutely apparent that Geno wants Azzi to be far more aggressive on offense, and when she is matched up again on the court with her BFF, the show that is UConn WBB will be something to behold.

I also thought it was an in game practice strategy. I think he is trying to get her comfortable with having an uncomfortable shooting situation for when she has to put the team on her back and win ugly.

This was primarily a 3 pt situation but it also reminded me of the Maya Moore days where the offense was largely about her. Maya knew she had to make something out of nothing for the team.

 

[ballerfan]

I referenced Caitlin Clark in my OP. Out of curiosity, I took a look at her shooting stats from her NPOY season last year. She was 2nd in the nation in scoring at 27+ ppg behind only Maddy Siegrist. Clark was 3rd in the nation in shots per game behind Aneesh Morrow & Siegrist.

The “Holy Grail” of shooting is 50-40-90, something that I believe only Sabrina Ionescu has ever achieved. Clark did not hit a single one of the three milestones, shooting 47% from the field, 38% from the arc and 83% from the FT line, all respectable numbers. Those numbers placed her 106th, 45th and 64th respectively among all DI WBB players last season, and yet, most WBB fans and pundits consider Clark to be the best shooter in WBB.

Paige her freshman year was .524/.464/.869. Pretty close.

 

[BobbyJ]

I referenced Caitlin Clark in my OP. Out of curiosity, I took a look at her shooting stats from her NPOY season last year. She was 2nd in the nation in scoring at 27+ ppg behind only Maddy Siegrist. Clark was 3rd in the nation in shots per game behind Aneesh Morrow & Siegrist.

The “Holy Grail” of shooting is 50-40-90, something that I believe only Sabrina Ionescu has ever achieved. Clark did not hit a single one of the three milestones, shooting 47% from the field, 38% from the arc and 83% from the FT line, all respectable numbers. Those numbers placed her 106th, 45th and 64th respectively among all DI WBB players last season, and yet, most WBB fans and pundits consider Clark to be the best shooter in WBB.

Not the ones that know better.

 

[DEpup]

I also watched the game over with my focus on Azzi. Her shot selection and number of shots and I came to similar conclusion that she was taking shots she normally would have passed up in regular game. What I noticed was when Azzi shoots in rhythm her shot is smooth and on the mark even when she misses. When she was forcing shots she normally wouldn't take she struggled and I understand why she did.

Azzi has a great shot and she will get wide open looks all season and I think this was just to teach her to catch and shoot. Don't think too much and clearly don't worry when they don't go in the basket. My guess is Geno wants to ensure all the players play their game when Paige comes back to full speed without thinking too much and expecting Paige to carry the load which she is capable of doing.

I've also seen where Azzi tends to pass up a shot if the situation isn't perfect. And maybe he wants her to work on expanding that zone of shots. The only way to do that is practice it and isn't that what exhibition games are for?

 

[MilfordHusky]

I've also seen where Azzi tends to pass up a shot if the situation isn't perfect. And maybe he wants her to work on expanding that zone of shots. The only way to do that is practice it and isn't that what exhibition games are for?

Bingo!

 

[BobbyJ]

I've also seen where Azzi tends to pass up a shot if the situation isn't perfect. And maybe he wants her to work on expanding that zone of shots. The only way to do that is practice it and isn't that what exhibition games are for?

Ah, now we're getting somewhere.

 

[choclate45]

How many players are part of the 50/40/90 club in ncaa womens basketball? The wikipedia entry doesn't say.

 

[Bone Dog]

How many players are part of the 50/40/90 club in ncaa womens basketball? The wikipedia entry doesn't say.

As far as I know, only Sue Bird.

 

[TCC Kid]

The greatest shooters in basketball “have no conscience.” I sat through games when KML bricked her first five 3-pt shots and then went on a tear hitting shot after shot. I’ve watched games where Katie Lou couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean and then, if my magic, everything started to fall for her. Having a shooters mindset is critical to being a great shooter.

Following the UConn “Exhibition Game” vs Pecs, Hungary there was considerable chatter on the BY about Azzi’s 9 for 31 shooting performance, with lots of questions and concerns about both the volume of shots that she took as well as the number of shots that she missed. I finally watched the game last night and I have a personal observation.

While I have no inside information on what Geno discussed with Azzi and the team before the game, it appears quite apparent that UConn was conducting something I will refer to as the Azzi experiment. The evidence is quite simple. Azzi is a consummate team player who always takes her shots in rhythm during the flow of the game. During the game against Pecs, Azzi shot the ball every time she had a sliver of space and several times when she was covered.

Azzi was catching and releasing the ball faster than I have ever seen her. She was taking and making some shots from “Caitlin Clark” territory. UConn, who typically runs a beautiful motion offense, was often just getting the ball to Azzi and letting her fire away. One action the Huskies ran over and over was to have Nika bring the ball up and dribble to the wing, where she would simply hand the ball to Azzi at the arc, who then fired away. Azzi made 9 pretty remarkable shots. Of course, she also missed 22 shots.

Normally, if any UConn player was firing away and missing as much as Azzi was against Pecs, she would earn herself a spot on the bench. But throughout the game, both Azzi and Geno appeared completely unfazed by the volume of missed shots. Hence, my conclusion that the shooting spree by Azzi was a plan by Geno to get Azzi to be more aggressive and comfortable taking over on the offensive end.

As I said in the postgame thread, I doubt that Azzi will ever take 31 shots or miss 22 shots in a regular season game. But having watched the Pecs game, it seems absolutely apparent that Geno wants Azzi to be far more aggressive on offense, and when she is matched up again on the court with her BFF, the show that is UConn WBB will be something to behold.

IMO DT, Dee, Diana --In a National Championship game against ND--Bricked 15.
Of all players to wear a UC Uniform, none had more confidence in her abilities than DT.
KML was a shooters shooter--thanks to her native abilities and her Step Dad.
Ms Fudd has to ignore those who never could shoot, but are great in critizism. She knows, you know, and UConn world knows shooter have down periods and fantastic shooting spells. That's just the nature of the beast!! If an inventor could come up with a Cell phone App that knows when theses spells shall happen, he/she shall make a fortune..

 

[oldude]

IMO DT, Dee, Diana --In a National Championship game against ND--Bricked 15.
Of all players to wear a UC Uniform, none had more confidence in her abilities than DT.
KML was a shooters shooter--thanks to her native abilities and her Step Dad.
Ms Fudd has to ignore those who never could shoot, but are great in critizism. She knows, you know, and UConn world knows shooter have down periods and fantastic shooting spells. That's just the nature of the beast!! If an inventor could come up with a Cell phone App that knows when theses spells shall happen, he/she shall make a fortune..

As info, DT’s awful shooting game was during her freshman season in the national semifinals, followed by 3 straight national championships.

 

[TCC Kid]

With respect to being in a slump, coaches and players know if you’re in a slump, you have to shoot or hit your way out of it. You can’t sit around and wait for it to pass. It doesn’t work that way. How many times have we seen a player start out 0 for their first 5-6 shots, then get dialed in and get hot? This was an exhibition game in August. Nothing to be overly concerned about. Give Geno the benefit of the doubt that he knows what he’s doing. It was exciting to see our freshmen in action now, and not have to wait until November.

IN the slump shooting coach, none have been more for keep shooting " when the first one falls, the slump is over" than Geno. Stewie, DT, others have heard Geno urging them on to SHOOT.
You are correct in that Geno also tells them when the shots aren't falling---defend, steal, block, assist--get into the GAME.
It was Heart Warming to see the entire team -this far from November. I too enjoyed seeing those freshmen and Soph (that didn't play last season). This is a pretty good team.

 

[TCC Kid]

As info, DT’s awful shooting game was during her freshman season in the national semifinals, followed by 3 straight national championships.

I bow to your accuracy, and YES she WAS a freshman-but one unlike any Freshman in WCBB to that time. When DT was on the floor you knew it. ND, with great off passing between Riley and (I forget the forwards name, passing 90 does that to brains sometimes ) did much to end Uconn's season that year.

 

[hoophuskee]

To be fair Clark takes many more high-difficulty 3s than anyone else. She’s taking a ton of unassisted, pull-up, deep 3s. Often double-teamed. Shooting 38% from 3 considering the level of difficulty shots she’s taking is super impressive, and that’s where her reputation comes from.

Is she "double-teamed from 3 as she takes the shot" often? I doubt that.

I used to argue with a Laker fan on the old ESPN board. He was a pro-Kobe fan even over Jordan, and one of his comments I'll never forget was that "Kobe is better than Michael Jordan because he takes tougher shots."

I kid you not.

 

[oldhusky]

I know it is the offseason, so there's a void to be filled. Realizing November is still almost 3 months away, these "games" are secondary to the overall experience and bonding amongst the players.

While I share in the excitement of what the freshman & Ice bring, for me, this season is about the realization of having Paige, Azzi & Caroline being on the court together and 100% healthy. Correct me if I am wrong, I can't recall when all have been 100% healthy at the same time over the last 2 years. We are talking about three top 5 recruits (2 #1's) and mostly we are waiting for their combined potential to be exhibited.

If this is Paige's last season, then I selfishly want to see her play as much as possible, along with Azzi, Aaliyah, Caroline, Aubrey and Nika. If everyone stays healthy, then I believe we will see a juggernaut UConn team of lore. There will be minutes for the freshmen to shine, but I want this season to be the manifestation of what we've been waiting for since Azzi & Caroline committed to play with Paige.

You are spot on about never getting to see a healthy Paige, Azzi and Caroline at the same time. I thought they would be a terrific trio for three full years together and now I am hoping we get at least one. We also have not seen how good Nika passing to two great shooters (Paige and Azzi) could be. Remember she was second in the country in assists with no Paige, mostly an injured Azzi and Caroline, and Aubrey, not a 3pt shooter at the 3, although Aubrey was on the receiving end of many fast break baskets early in the season.

After a while teams concentrated on taking away the break, leaving Nika with just one injured perimeter shooter to pass to in the half court offense. If healthy, most of the time out of our players at 1-3, we will probably have two great outside shooters (from Paige, Azzi and Caroline) with two great passers (from Nika, Paige, and KK) in the game. Paige of course is both at the same time.

 

[AzzisBraids]

Wasn’t this ball they were using a totally different weight? I have to believe that could be a factor?

The double rims were the factor this game, playing on double rims is a totally different kind of basketball

 

[AzzisBraids]

I agree - seeing her take that many shots is great. She won't miss many, her shot is a thing of beauty. Who cares if she misses, more rebounds for the posts.

 

[Blond D.]

Once Michael Jordan was something like 1 out of 17 but he kept on shooting. The reporters asked him why? Michael said his rule is "when you're on shoot. When you're not on, shoot till you're on.

 

[Bone Dog]

You are spot on about never getting to see a healthy Paige, Azzi and Caroline at the same time. I thought they would be a terrific trio for three full years together and now I am hoping we get at least one. We also have not seen how good Nika passing to two great shooters (Paige and Azzi) could be. Remember she was second in the country in assists with no Paige, mostly an injured Azzi and Caroline, and Aubrey, not a 3pt shooter at the 3, although Aubrey was on the receiving end of many fast break baskets early in the season.

After a while teams concentrated on taking away the break, leaving Nika with just one injured perimeter shooter to pass to in the half court offense. If healthy, most of the time out of our players at 1-3, we will probably have two great outside shooters (from Paige, Azzi and Caroline) with two great passers (from Nika, Paige, and KK) in the game. Paige of course is both at the same time.

Very insightful