The Nat Attack

[Huskies Rule]

Monday at the Garden, commentators excitedly proclaimed that Maryland had shown the WCBB world the way to attack and defeat UConn's defense- by going at them down low with a real big, strong kid. Well, tonight @ Cincinnati professor Auriemma introduced his answer- #51. A whole lot more work yet to do, Nat (conditioning!), but one hell of a start, for sure.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

UCONN just got a little taller tonite and should match up with South Carolina a little better.

3" more or less. But Kiah did not play in USC game last year did she?? Morgan and Stewie dismantled SC's interior defense. Think I'm right on that. Still, it is great to have Natalie getting more than ready.

 

[PhillyCoach]

PhillyCoach, all three incoming freshmen are having outstanding seasons. Some of them may be a factor next season also.

Hey Donald - I agree. Irwin would be the first sub for the Bigs (or go with 3 bigs on the floor). Bent would have to get by Chong, Danger, Nurse, and even Courtney before she hits the floor. I hear she is really smart and can play, but I think her minutes would be towards the end of blowouts. However, who knows what the future brings?

 

[huskyd]

No one will be happier than Bre to see Natalie in the post. Ever since Step left, Stewart has basically been playing the 5. As a result, she as taken a serious pounding, abuse that she would not have had to take if UConn had brought in a big sooner. I never remember Bre complaining; in fact, she said recently that she would be surprised to be in a game where she wasn't being roughed up. Now, if Butler is truly OK and ready to put in the minutes, Stewart should be much freer to much more damage. Is that possible? Make a note of this date. Expect an even better Bre.

 

[Sonny44]

I thought Nat looked like an All-American out there. This one, actually...
View attachment 11557

A couple of kids having a good time, yes!

 

[JavaMan]

Natalie speaks:

"I think I am a lot quicker in the post than I've ever been, but I haven't demonstrated that yet," Butler said. "I feel like I have a lot more to offer and I plan to get incrementally better as the season moves on. But the reason I had the game I did was because of my teammates."

[LINK]

 

[RockyMTblue2]

The best thing Natalie showed me last night was her head. She kept it. Imagine sitting for a year and a half and finally being out there. What did she do? Her job, with a minimum of flail or nerves. Her moves have a Tuck like calm efficiency. She demonstrated hustle. She has great hands, including the taped one. I'm more than pleased.

 

[rugbymate]

Gabby has become a spark plug off the bench. There's no one else on the bench that Geno could put in that would have the immediate impact that she does. Geno doesn't loose much Starting Pheesa. She is an excellent rebounder, and she's showing a consistent mid-range jumper. Napheesa is beginning to get her "sea-legs" with each passing game.
A double -double tonight for her. The first of what should be many. This may be why Geno has Gabby coming off the bench instead of starting.

Tonight was the night we've all been waiting for. The debut of Natalie Butler. Tonight's game was an excellent stage for her to make her first appearance of the season.
She did everything she wanted to do in the limited time she spent on the court. She was 2 rebounds shy of a double-double. I count 9 games in January for UConn. Butler should be settled in and comfortable playing with her teammates by the end of the month. When Butler gets comfortable, and if Chong can recover from her injury and stay healthy, UConn is going to be a real nightmare for everyone on their schedule.

Query.....How many more games before Natalie gets her first double-double? I say no more than 4.

If Nat had played a few more minutes she would have had her first double -double. After watching last night one gets a better understanding of her freshman numbers at Georgetown. She will be a double-double machine once she gets the playing time , which is hopefully soon. It wouldn't surprise me if both Nat and NC averaged double -doubles next year. The future is extremely bright.

 

[Kaizen]

If Nat had played a few more minutes she would have had her first double -double. After watching last night one gets a better understanding of her freshman numbers at Georgetown. She will be a double-double machine once she gets the playing time , which is hopefully soon. It wouldn't surprise me if both Nat and NC averaged double -doubles next year. The future is extremely bright.

That is so true. If Butler plays 25 mins she will have a double-double.

 

[PhillyCoach]

Now that everyone knows that Nat can hit the 15 footer (like Tuck) I would like to see Nat-Tuck-Stewie on the floor at the same time. They could have a high / low post in play and also the inside- outside with Stewie. The three of them could interchange & play the high post or the low post. Moving in and out (like Tuck and Stewie did recently) would really confuse the defense. I don't know if South Carolina could handle all that movement and fire power.

 

[Kaizen]

Now that everyone knows that Nat can hit the 15 footer (like Tuck) I would like to see Nat-Tuck-Stewie on the floor at the same time. They could have a high / low post in play and also the inside- outside with Stewie. The three of them could interchange & play the high post or the low post. Moving in and out (like Tuck and Stewie did recently) would really confuse the defense. I don't know if South Carolina could handle all that movement and fire power.

This Tri-Tower is unbeatable...

 

[topogigio]

In addition to the above comments, Butler did a great job posting up, and burying her defender behind her. That said, Cincy had no height, and minimal skill, but Butler's positioning down low was quite impressive. I can also see her at the high post, lobbing it down low to Stewie and Tuck, or banging in the foul line jumper. How in the world would anyone defend that?

 

[masshusk77]

Hey Donald - I agree. Irwin would be the first sub for the Bigs (or go with 3 bigs on the floor). Bent would have to get by Chong, Danger, Nurse, and even Courtney before she hits the floor. I hear she is really smart and can play, but I think her minutes would be towards the end of blowouts. However, who knows what the future brings?

I think Bent will get a decent amount of minutes. Having seen her play a few times, she is a very talented player who can play well at both ends of the floor and also does all the little things. I think she's going to continue to improve more and more based on her very recent (comparatively) focus on basketball. Most kids these days focus on basketball before they even get to high school and it sounds like Bent didn't even start playing serious AAU (national) basketball until last year due to her exploits on the soccer field which is a sport she continued to play right up through her time in high school. I think people will be very pleasantly surprised with her next year. We can't forget that back in the spring before hurting herself and missing the entire summer national AAU circuit that she put forth a performance in front of Geno and Shea that led Shea to say "Geno has nobody like her at UConn and he loves how hard she plays and what she can do on the court" and Mathew Mitchell the coach of #7 Kentucky to say "She could play for us right now".

http://elmcitytoeaglevillenhr.blogspot.com/2015/06/latest-uconn-commit-doesnt-take-any.html (quotes)
http://www.journalinquirer.com/spor...cle_15659aba-4e0a-11e5-8905-1f109ffd3584.html (ankle injury)

 

[Zorro]

Sounds as though Geno may have picked up a sleeper.

 

[baggerbob]

Something missing since Stef left, was the solid screen at the foul line which freed Mo, and others to drive. Nat should be able to set that solid screen.

 

[Gus Mahler]

3" more or less. But Kiah did not play in USC game last year did she?? Morgan and Stewie dismantled SC's interior defense. Think I'm right on that. Still, it is great to have Natalie getting more than ready.

Stokes played minimal minutes. As he is wont to do, GA devised a game plan not in keeping with what we mere mortals would have thought, and chose to outrun and outscore USC. Perfectly consistent with a mindset of attacking the other team and letting them prepare/deal with UCONN, not the other way around.

Put another way, he didn't play into their hands and let it become a slugfest with the USC bigs. Pretty clever.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Stokes played minimal minutes. As he is wont to do, GA devised a game plan not in keeping with what we mere mortals would have thought, and chose to outrun and outscore USC. Perfectly consistent with a mindset of attacking the other team and letting them prepare/deal with UCONN, not the other way around.

Put another way, he didn't play into their hands and let it become a slugfest with the USC bigs. Pretty clever.

Morgan and Stewie also made their bigs out to be slow of foot, tying them into knots as the two scored pretty readily inside.

 

[billnaples]

We must have watched different games. Just talking about offense here. Both Saniya and Courtney did not take a shot in the first half, despite Saniya having three open looks. KLS didn't play at all in the first half. Gabby showed what subs need to do: get in the game, and make things happen, don't defer to other players. I think Gabby had 10 in the first half. She had some nice mid range shots. It might not be fair to compare Saniya or Courtney or KLS to Gabby, but that's what Geno is looking for, when you get in the game, make something happen offensively. The second half was better, but most of the starters were out of the game by that point.

Definitely Natalie made things happen when she got in. She made the most of her playing time. And Geno said that Nat was excited to get in there. Almost as excited as we were to see her in there. The future is brighter.

I had to go back and replay the first half. I think I found the spots you referred to. so I can resolve what Chong did or did not do with the ball after she passed up the three open looks you felt she had, And perhaps Ekmark as well since you felt she did not take a shot, Now from what I read and heard from Geno KLS was getting a message. Now maybe you feel a need to pick nits by the quarter or the half but regardless of chasm in talent between Cincy and Storrs when you have 8 players in double figures for scoring, 9 players played 12 or more minutes (and Ekmark got in 9). Chong shot 4/6, including 3/5 from the arc, had 4 rebounds 3 assists 1 steal and 1 block, 0 turnovers and just 1 personal....and she did all that in 22 minutes. Now from what I saw she passed to Nurse who may have been more open in the corner but you could argue she should have shot the three. The second one I saw her pass to MoJeff who then passed to Gabby in the lane. And the thrid time was when she dumped it in to Butler who kicked it out and she could have shot but instead passed it back in to Butler who knocked in a short jumper. Hardly passing up all that much in my opinion and was definitely looking at getting the team a better shot.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Now that everyone knows that Nat can hit the 15 footer (like Tuck) I would like to see Nat-Tuck-Stewie on the floor at the same time. They could have a high / low post in play and also the inside- outside with Stewie. The three of them could interchange & play the high post or the low post. Moving in and out (like Tuck and Stewie did recently) would really confuse the defense. I don't know if South Carolina could handle all that movement and fire power.

What about KLS? She's the 3rd tallest on the team now at 6-3. You could have 6-5, 6-4, and 6-3 out there. If KLS were a little more consistent from outside, you could have two bigs that can play inside around the hoop, or step out and shoot 3s. Although I guess that would be a pretty slow lineup.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I had to go back and replay the first half. I think I found the spots you referred to. so I can resolve what Chong did or did not do with the ball after she passed up the three open looks you felt she had, And perhaps Ekmark as well since you felt she did not take a shot, Now from what I read and heard from Geno KLS was getting a message. Now maybe you feel a need to pick nits by the quarter or the half but regardless of chasm in talent between Cincy and Storrs when you have 8 players in double figures for scoring, 9 players played 12 or more minutes (and Ekmark got in 9). Chong shot 4/6, including 3/5 from the arc, had 4 rebounds 3 assists 1 steal and 1 block, 0 turnovers and just 1 personal....and she did all that in 22 minutes. Now from what I saw she passed to Nurse who may have been more open in the corner but you could argue she should have shot the three. The second one I saw her pass to MoJeff who then passed to Gabby in the lane. And the thrid time was when she dumped it in to Butler who kicked it out and she could have shot but instead passed it back in to Butler who knocked in a short jumper. Hardly passing up all that much in my opinion and was definitely looking at getting the team a better shot.

Comment re the play to Gabby. A person could argue that SC should have taken that shot. But the way I see it, she showed mature judgment in not pulling the trigger so quickly after entering the game, and in this case, early in the shot clock. A little patience led to an effective post entry and an effective finish by GW. And an and-1.

 

[hoophuskee]

We must have watched different games. Just talking about offense here. Both Saniya and Courtney did not take a shot in the first half, despite Saniya having three open looks. KLS didn't play at all in the first half. Gabby showed what subs need to do: get in the game, and make things happen, don't defer to other players. I think Gabby had 10 in the first half. She had some nice mid range shots. It might not be fair to compare Saniya or Courtney or KLS to Gabby, but that's what Geno is looking for, when you get in the game, make something happen offensively. The second half was better, but most of the starters were out of the game by that point.

Definitely Natalie made things happen when she got in. She made the most of her playing time. And Geno said that Nat was excited to get in there. Almost as excited as we were to see her in there. The future is brighter.

I think you are being way way way too critical. Geno has said a bit this year UCONN has been playing too fast. VS cinci UCONN can (and showed) they can get off 3's anytime they want. One of the 3's Chong could have taken - just one pass after her pass- they got an inside three point play for Gabby. And Chong did take a 3 in the 1st half. I don't think vs a team like cinci Chong should be the one firing up 3's often if the offense is trying to work on getting the ball inside. She took one. Maybe knock her for not taking another.

And as for CE-- no way should she have taken that shot in 1sthalf the instead she got into the game. That's the only time I saw she was open. I' sure the team was working getting the ball in the paint and her firing a 3 the 1st minute she is in the game while Geno has as indicated before preaching patience probably wouldn't have been looked upon as a positive by Geno. You have to admit the game plan would be to pound the ball inside vs Cinci, right? And you think taking a quick 3 coming in would make Geno happy unless your name is Katie Lou? And even then with Katie Lou . . .

When we play these weaker teams--don't look for three's to be taken early much from the bench players (unless you are Katie Lou). I'm sure they are being told to pass up taking the 3 as 1st option (unless inside out or worked around well) in order to pound the paint. If Katie Lou passes up a bit too often then that could be considered a negative too - ie not playing with confidence. It's just that Chong and CE are not the potential scorer that KLS can be. There imo lies the difference.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I think you are being way way way too critical. Geno has said a bit this year UCONN has been playing too fast. VS cinci UCONN can (and showed) they can get off 3's anytime they want. One of the 3's Chong could have taken - just one pass after her pass- they got an inside three point play for Gabby. And Chong did take a 3 in the 1st half. I don't think vs a team like cinci Chong should be the one firing up 3's often if the offense is trying to work on getting the ball inside. She took one. Maybe knock her for not taking another.

And as for CE-- no way should she have taken that shot in 1sthalf the instead she got into the game. That's the only time I saw she was open. I' sure the team was working getting the ball in the paint and her firing a 3 the 1st minute she is in the game while Geno has as indicated before preaching patience probably wouldn't have been looked upon as a positive by Geno. You have to admit the game plan would be to pound the ball inside vs Cinci, right? And you think taking a quick 3 coming in would make Geno happy unless your name is Katie Lou? And even then with Katie Lou . . .

When we play these weaker teams--don't look for three's to be taken early much from the bench players (unless you are Katie Lou). I'm sure they are being told to pass up taking the 3 as 1st option (unless inside out or worked around well) in order to pound the paint. If Katie Lou passes up a bit too often then that could be considered a negative too - ie not playing with confidence. It's just that Chong and CE are not the potential scorer that KLS can be. There imo lies the difference.

I'm pretty much on the same page with you.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Morgan and Stewie also made their bigs out to be slow of foot, tying them into knots as the two scored pretty readily inside.

Yup. Kept getting what Doris called post isolations. That game was one of the truly thrilling exhibitions of basketball I have ever seen. It was Geno giving a master class and his students carrying it out to perfection.

 

[hoophuskee]

No one will be happier than Bre to see Natalie in the post. Ever since Step left, Stewart has basically been playing the 5. As a result, she as taken a serious pounding, abuse that she would not have had to take if UConn had brought in a big sooner. I never remember Bre complaining; in fact, she said recently that she would be surprised to be in a game where she wasn't being roughed up. Now, if Butler is truly OK and ready to put in the minutes, Stewart should be much freer to much more damage. Is that possible? Make a note of this date. Expect an even better Bre.

We won a title and lost one game last year with BS at the 5 / 4. We're fine with her at the 5 and now we're stronger with NB too. IMO the BS "getting beat up" is overrated. She has been free for a long time and she makes the opposition pay much more than they do to her. How many centers can guard her? I didn't see her wear down last year. IMO she got stronger throughout the year. And I want her inside for blocking shots more than outside on the perimeter. NB will make this team much better if she shows what she did the1st game though. She looked terrific.

 

[hoophuskee]

Hey Donald - I agree. Irwin would be the first sub for the Bigs (or go with 3 bigs on the floor). Bent would have to get by Chong, Danger, Nurse, and even Courtney before she hits the floor. I hear she is really smart and can play, but I think her minutes would be towards the end of blowouts. However, who knows what the future brings?

Irwin subbing over Gabby and Collier? IMO when either Butler or Tuck leave they'll slot in as 1st options NC or Gabby. And imo even KLS would play 4 ahead of Irwin for the most part.

By the way, is Irwin definitely a better player than Bent?

 

[HuskyNan]

I've seen a few references to Katie Lou being a "big". She is not a big, she's a wing (see the roster if you don't believe me). Like Ann Strother before her, Lou is a big guard. Remember when Geno had to play Annie in the post out of necessity? She was not successful there because she has a guard's mentality - she wants to play on the perimeter and pass the ball. Banging with the bigs in the paint was not part of her instincts or lifelong training. It's the same for Lou.

 

[JoePgh]

I've seen a few references to Katie Lou being a "big". She is not a big, she's a wing (see the roster if you don't believe me). Like Ann Strother before her, Lou is a big guard. Remember when Geno had to play Annie in the post out of necessity? She was not successful there because she has a guard's mentality - she wants to play on the perimeter and pass the ball. Banging with the bigs in the paint was not part of her instincts or lifelong training. It's the same for Lou.

What you say about Ann Strother could just as easily be said about Breanna Stewart as a freshman. Stewie at that time would have been happy to hang out at the 3-point line, as Geno noted at the time. When she had a shooting slump in mid-season, Geno finally convinced her that she needed to have a more versatile game and play both inside and outside, developing both sets of skills. We have seen the results.

Since Geno has already made the comparison between Stewie and KLS, and has urged KLS to "play like Stewie", I would expect him to push her towards a similar trajectory for her future UConn career. That will be particularly important to allow her to make a contribution while her 3-point shot continues to desert her.

And I do think that over time, KLS can be successful in the paint -- maybe not as successful as Stewie, but successful enough to be a serious problem for opponents at both ends of the floor. The question is whether she will embrace or resist that role. But if she came to UConn to see how good a basketball player she could possibly become, and if she sees the example of Stewie (who has probably told her the saga of her own freshman year), she should be motivated to do that.

 

[HuskyNan]

What you say about Ann Strother could just as easily be said about Breanna Stewart as a freshman. Stewie at that time would have been happy to hang out at the 3-point line, as Geno noted at the time. When she had a shooting slump in mid-season, Geno finally convinced her that she needed to have a more versatile game and play both inside and outside, developing both sets of skills. We have seen the results.

Since Geno has already made the comparison between Stewie and KLS, and has urged KLS to "play like Stewie", I would expect him to push her towards a similar trajectory for her future UConn career. That will be particularly important to allow her to make a contribution while her 3-point shot continues to desert her.

And I do think that over time, KLS can be successful in the paint -- maybe not as successful as Stewie, but successful enough to be a serious problem for opponents at both ends of the floor. The question is whether she will embrace or resist that role. But if she came to UConn to see how good a basketball player she could possibly become, and if she sees the example of Stewie (who has probably told her the saga of her own freshman year), she should be motivated to do that.

Stewie is singular; no one is like her. Geno may want Lou to go to the basket more, and he badgered the heck out of Diana to do just that, but that doesn't make her a post, just a guard with a diverse game. Lou isn't a banger any more than Dee was.

 

[CL82]

Stewie is singular; no one is like her. Geno may want Lou to go to the basket more, and he badgered the heck out of Diana to do just that, but that doesn't make her a post, just a guard with a diverse game. Lou isn't a banger any more than Dee was.

Guard or small forward? I'm not sure about her handle.

 

[donalddoowop]

hoophuskee, I believe Chong has as much a chance to be a big time scorer as KLS does. All she needs is the opportunity. If she maintains the confidence she has recently shown, she will be a very important asset.