This is what Geno is trying to accomplish...

[DavidinNaples]

The three closest games this season have been a 10 pt victory over Notre Dame, another 10 pt victory over Maryland and the 16 pt win against USF. Looking back it would be easy to say none of those games was ever in doubt, but the reality is there was a time in each game, where UConn could have lost. Could have lost if the shooting went cold, the defense let down or key players fouled out. Consider:

1. Against N.D., with 3:44 left in the 3rd period, UConn had a 5 pt lead. The Huskies were two 3s away from falling behind. Notre Dame couldn't miss. However, over the next 4:40, UConn outscored N.D. by 17 pts and extended the lead to 22 pts. Tuck, Jefferson, Stewie, Nurse and Gabby all scored and N.D. went 0-7, with 4 turnovers. Game over.

2. Against Maryland, with 4:35 left in the 3rd period, UConn was actually losing 41-43. Overt he next 5:04, UConn outscored the Terps by 14 to take a 12 pt lead. Baskets by Collier, Nurse, Stewie, Nurse (again), Jefferson and Tuck (again) with assists from 4 different players put the Huskies ahead for good. The defense held Maryland to 1-6 shooting and created 3 turnovers. Game over.

3. In the USF game, with 2:13 left in the 3rd period UConn was clinging to a 6 pt lead. Once again in crunch time, the Huskies outscored opponents, over the next 4:04, by 12 pts to extend the lead to 18 pts. Baskets by MoJeff, Tuck, MoJeff (again), Jefferson (yet again), Tuck (again) and Katie Lou combined with shut down defense to sink the Bulls. USF went 1-6 shooting and had 2 shots blocked. The game was never close again.

The end of the 3rd period in a close game is critical. Everybody has tired legs, aching lungs and fouling is easier than moving your feet. Geno coaches for this exact "crunch" time. UConn is in better shape, they don't foul and they know the opponent is tired. This is when they block shots, create a turnovers and make critical shots. The USF game was easier at crunch time because UConn went through it before, with N.D. and Maryland. They know what to do, and they execute. They practice it, then do it in games and by tournament time, it comes naturally. Geno's formula, for the last 30 years.

 

[Nuyoika]

View attachment 11686

The three closest games this season have been a 10 pt victory over Notre Dame, another 10 pt victory over Maryland and the 16 pt win against USF. Looking back it would be easy to say none of those games was ever in doubt, but the reality is there was a time in each game, where UConn could have lost. Could have lost if the shooting went cold, the defense let down or key players fouled out. Consider:

1. Against N.D., with 3:44 left in the 3rd period, UConn had a 5 pt lead. The Huskies were two 3s away from falling behind. Notre Dame couldn't miss. However, over the next 4:40, UConn outscored N.D. by 17 pts and extended the lead to 22 pts. Tuck, Jefferson, Stewie, Nurse and Gabby all scored and N.D. went 0-7, with 4 turnovers. Game over.

2. Against Maryland, with 4:35 left in the 3rd period, UConn was actually losing 41-43. Overt he next 5:04, UConn outscored the Terps by 14 to take a 12 pt lead. Baskets by Collier, Nurse, Stewie, Nurse (again), Jefferson and Tuck (again) with assists from 4 different players put the Huskies ahead for good. The defense held Maryland to 1-6 shooting and created 3 turnovers. Game over.

3. In the USF game, with 2:13 left in the 3rd period UConn was clinging to a 6 pt lead. Once again in crunch time, the Huskies outscored opponents, over the next 4:04, by 12 pts to extend the lead to 18 pts. Baskets by MoJeff, Tuck, MoJeff (again), Jefferson (yet again), Tuck (again) and Katie Lou combined with shut down defense to sink the Bulls. USF went 1-6 shooting and had 2 shots blocked. The game was never close again.

The end of the 3rd period in a close game is critical. Everybody has tired legs, aching lungs and fouling is easier than moving your feet. Geno coaches for this exact "crunch" time. UConn is in better shape, they don't foul and they know the opponent is tired. This is when they block shots, create a turnovers and make critical shots. The USF game was easier at crunch time because UConn went through it before, with N.D. and Maryland. They know what to do, and they execute. They practice it, then do it in games and by tournament time, it comes naturally. Geno's formula, for the last 30 years.

Nice work!

 

[UcMiami]

Nice post David.
What i find interesting this year is that we seem to be starting games and second halves a little slower than usual. Especially coming out at the start of the second half has been a bit dangerous this year - they have given up some quick scores and struggled themselves just a bit. In past years a quick five or ten point run to start the second half was demoralizing and generally sealed the win.

 

[donalddoowop]

UCONN beat DePaul by 15, one less than USF.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

View attachment 11686
... They practice it, then do it in games and by tournament time, it comes naturally. Geno's formula, for the last 30 years.

As Bria Hartley put it, they don't practice something until they get it right, they practice until they can't get it wrong. It's a BIG difference.

 

[DavidinNaples]

UCONN beat DePaul by 15, one less than USF.

I believe the score was 86-70.... That would be 16...

 

[BobbyJ]

UConn isn't getting the cheap points they did the last 3-4 years. That's where they miss Mosqueda-Lewis. In 2-3 trips downcourt they could throw it inside and back out to Lewis for 3's. Throw a steal in there and it's a quick, cheap 6-8 pts. without having to work thru any 30 second possessions. And against decent teams they're not getting steals off the press. No Stokes to play goalie if the press gets broken.

 

[Siestakeyfan]

View attachment 11686

The three closest games this season have been a 10 pt victory over Notre Dame, another 10 pt victory over Maryland and the 16 pt win against USF. Looking back it would be easy to say none of those games was ever in doubt, but the reality is there was a time in each game, where UConn could have lost. Could have lost if the shooting went cold, the defense let down or key players fouled out. Consider:

1. Against N.D., with 3:44 left in the 3rd period, UConn had a 5 pt lead. The Huskies were two 3s away from falling behind. Notre Dame couldn't miss. However, over the next 4:40, UConn outscored N.D. by 17 pts and extended the lead to 22 pts. Tuck, Jefferson, Stewie, Nurse and Gabby all scored and N.D. went 0-7, with 4 turnovers. Game over.

2. Against Maryland, with 4:35 left in the 3rd period, UConn was actually losing 41-43. Overt he next 5:04, UConn outscored the Terps by 14 to take a 12 pt lead. Baskets by Collier, Nurse, Stewie, Nurse (again), Jefferson and Tuck (again) with assists from 4 different players put the Huskies ahead for good. The defense held Maryland to 1-6 shooting and created 3 turnovers. Game over.

3. In the USF game, with 2:13 left in the 3rd period UConn was clinging to a 6 pt lead. Once again in crunch time, the Huskies outscored opponents, over the next 4:04, by 12 pts to extend the lead to 18 pts. Baskets by MoJeff, Tuck, MoJeff (again), Jefferson (yet again), Tuck (again) and Katie Lou combined with shut down defense to sink the Bulls. USF went 1-6 shooting and had 2 shots blocked. The game was never close again.


The end of the 3rd period in a close game is critical. Everybody has tired legs, aching lungs and fouling is easier than moving your feet. Geno coaches for this exact "crunch" time. UConn is in better shape, they don't foul and they know the opponent is tired. This is when they block shots, create a turnovers and make critical shots. The USF game was easier at crunch time because UConn went through it before, with N.D. and Maryland. They know what to do, and they execute. They practice it, then do it in games and by tournament time, it comes naturally. Geno's formula, for the last 30 years.

Well done well thought out post

 

[donalddoowop]

I believe the score was 86-70.... That would be 16...

Thank you. I was just pointing out that you left out a team.