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Message: [QUOTE="OldSchooler, post: 5151998, member: 11804"] In a matchup like this, between 2 elite teams, it so often comes down to coaching and preparation. I thought Lindsay won this battle. UConn was well scouted, and her team had great practices. USC had a good defensive game plan. Though rattled, they were not caught off guard when Geno went with Sarah and 4 guards and erased the deficit in the second half. And down the stretch, her players hung in there, despite obvious fatigue. Lindsay understood the significance of her team going into the cradle of women's basketball success and showing well. Her players were well motivated and confident, to go along with their talent. Hats off to her. Geno said last week that he loves big games like this, and hopes the two schools can work out a long-term schedule. This could be a coast-to-coast rivalry that, over time, can match what UConn-Stanford once was. Nobody likes losing, but I'm always looking for silver linings. I thought the second half, 4-guard swarming defense looked great, and almost pulled it out for us. Ironically, we got another late moving-pick call that eerily reminded us of the end of the Iowa game last year. But Paige would be the first to say that neither officiating nor late FT misses were responsible for this loss. (She went oh-for-two on an early visit to the line.) I was really impressed with KK, and what she brings to the game. And Geno is showing amazing confidence in Morgan, subbing her in early in the game, and playing her down the stretch. She's the kind of piece that Caroline was expected to be, and she's only going to get better. As to Sarah, another great game. When she got fouled with 5 seconds to go, I felt terrible that such pressure would have to be placed on the back of a freshman, after all she had already done for the team. And actually, 2 of her 3 FTAs were right on target. She made the first one, and the third one (without any hesitation) was right where it had to be -- hard off the back rim, where Paige was actually able to get her hands on the rebound. Forget the weekly polls. Forget bracketology. It's on to conference play, Tennessee, SC, and improving this team for tournament play. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach

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