Thoughts on the game

[UcMiami]

After the ugliness of the second half of the Cinci game, I thought Uconn played well throughout the game. Yes the scoring slowed down, but you expect that with a 30 point lead.
1. I thought the freshman all had really good games.
2. Geno kept a few more experienced players in the game throughout. Helps keep the offense flowing.
3. While I like Stef showing spirit, she picked up two really stupid fouls and I don't think Geno was happy. She came out shortly after the second and while he might not have used her anyway, there was no way she was going back in. Other than the fouls - great performance.
4. Heather - shoot the damn ball! She got two great feeds down low and didn't even think of scoring, but passed immediately to the free throw line.
5. Kiah - please think about shooting the ball. She has locked up her offense and thrown away the key.
6. KML - wow
7. Toughing it out by MJ was impressive after the ankle sprain - her losing a little speed still is faster than anybody else. I though she would get exposed on defense, but she still looked good.
8. Kelly - turnover free again, yeah!

 

[meyers7]

That's about as good as you can get against Nova. Good game. Didn't even get irritated like I usually do watching a Nova game.

Off to watch USA-Canada now.

 

[pap49cba]

Solid performance. Made it look easy against a tough team to play.

 

[HuskyNan]

Solid performance. Made it look easy against a tough team to play.

Yes, I don't know if people realize that 'Nova's style of play can make it difficult to play in a smooth, free-flowing manner. Harry's teams are usually quite skilled in controlling tempo but they struggled with that tonight, no doubt due to all the missed shots. Once UConn got the rebound, it was off to the races. But Harry's kids usually play tough and smart making games more difficult than they look.

 

[rwdinsalem]

I was really impressed by Bank's defense. It was awesome.

 

[UConnCat]

I was at last year's game at 'nova and UConn played so much better this year against a better 'nova team. One of the biggest differences was the play of Dolson on defense. She struggled defensively in last year's game because she didn't have the mobility to guard 'nova's smaller center. Tonight was a much different story. Stef and KML were terrific and Stewart played well. Geno said afterward that one of the goals over the last 10 regular season games is to solidify bench play. The bench players played well for the most part.

Funny comment from Geno's post-game presser:

Here is what Geno said when asked whether Stef Dolson and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis had ascended into the national spotlight:

“Well, we put Kelly Faris on Mt. Rushmore and she hasn’t played well since,” Geno quipped. “We need to slow down and make sure we don’t carve out any more busts of our players.”

 

[MilfordHusky]

KML is our most consistent and best player, in my view. I think she is clearly an AA, maybe even an AP (5-player) AA. To me, Griner is the only person outplaying her. I see KML as even with or ahead of Odyssey, Skylar, Elena, Chiney, et al. She is now at 50.8% on threes, ahead of Maggie Lucas.

 

[Kibitzer]

KML is not only our most consistent player, she is the best.

Her all around game. Shooting. Passing. Rebounding. Defending. Moving without the ball. She is among the five best in wcbb. Period.

 

[Icebear]

One thing that must be noted is that after the freshman learning curve of last year Kaleena has simply returned to her high school shooting % on 3s. She is simply a fantastic 3 pt shooter. Her proper name, "Hawkeye!"

 

[DaddyChoc]

she has an eye for rebounds

 

[Icebear]

she has an eye for rebounds

Indeed she has been expanding her repertoire.

 

[HuskyNan]

One thing that must be noted is that after the freshman learning curve of last year Kaleena has simply returned to her high school shooting % on 3s. She is simply a fantastic 3 pt shooter. Her proper name, "Hawkeye!"

What has made Kaleena so effective, though, is her willingness to drive to the basket. While she's not fast, she is quick and so when defenders come out to guard her on the perimeter, KML can just take a step inside the arc and shoot or she can drive past the defender and go to the hoop. This is something even the Marvelous Ms. Maya didn't get until her senior year. The entire floor is open for Kaleena and she's taking advantage of it.

 

[Icebear]

What has made Kaleena so effective, though, is her willingness to drive to the basket. While she's not fast, she is quick and so when defenders step out to guard her on the perimeter, KML can just take a step inside the arc and shoot or she can drive past the defender and go to the hoop. This is something even the Marvelous Ms. Maya didn't get until her senior year. The entire floor is open for Kaleena and she's taking advantage of it.

Very true, Nan. Her ability on the step up jumper after the up fake and, also, her ability to head into the lane and, also, crash the offensive boards have been invaluable additions this season. Most likely opponents having to honor them has helped KML to raise her 3pt % as they given space to guard against those other options. Another thing she is doing incredibly well is shooting off the screen in several ways including the hand off and shoot, the cross and back, and the step back. She really cuts tight to the screen protecting the screener and forcing tough decisions on the defender.

 

[Tonyc]

What can you say about the combo of KML and Stef . Breanna is coming along and Bria is getting healthly again. It wont be long till theyre all on track. Hopefully in about 20 days.

 

[DaddyChoc]

KML's handle is nice and tight... she looks serious.

 

[DaddyChoc]

I love when she's interviewed... words flow out of her mouth very well, great responses to the questions

 

[semper]

KML has become my favorite to watch. She has more energy this year. Last night I saw her do some Kelly-like hustles getting after the ball, and some beautiful crashing on the boards. How does she make that three go in so it doesn't seem to touch the net? Amazing player, and terrific person!

 

[GoUconn7961]

KML is our most consistent and best player, in my view. I think she is clearly an AA, maybe even an AP (5-player) AA. To me, Griner is the only person outplaying her. I see KML as even with or ahead of Odyssey, Skylar, Elena, Chiney, et al. She is now at 50.8% on threes, ahead of Maggie Lucas.

KML is smooth as silk, and just pure pleasure to watch - You have to wonder if Griner will come out from her encampment under the basket to try and block some three point attempts. I have tickets to the game and can't wait.

 

[GoUconn7961]

I love when she's interviewed... words flow out of her mouth very well, great responses to the questions

Of course! That's a UCONN education right there...

 

[meyers7]

What has made Kaleena so effective, though, is her willingness to drive to the basket. While she's not fast, she is quick and so when defenders step out to guard her on the perimeter, KML can just take a step inside the arc and shoot or she can drive past the defender and go to the hoop. This is something even the Marvelous Ms. Maya didn't get until her senior year. The entire floor is open for Kaleena and she's taking advantage of it.

What I like best about KML is she's a sophomore.

 

[msf22b]

Should it be a matter of concern or:
The nature of the current personnel, who is thriving at the moment and the nature of injuries that:

The starting upper class guards Faris, Doty, Hartley scored a total of 14 points on 6/16 shooting (2 threes).
Seems not like a typical Geno offense w/o major guard scoring (or am I wrong about that?)
Faris got her boards, there were nine assists, no blocks and steals.
A quiet night for the backcourt.

Wouldn't Muffit, Kim and Tara be thinking, if we stop KML and Big Mama, we win.

 

[Icebear]

And then those others will score because the shots are distributed differently.

 

[pap49cba]

And Geno would be thinking if we stop Griner and Sims and McBride and Diggins and Chiney and Tinkle, we win.

 

[UcMiami]

Should it be a matter of concern or:
The nature of the current personnel, who is thriving at the moment and the nature of injuries that:

The starting upper class guards Faris, Doty, Hartley scored a total of 14 points on 6/16 shooting (2 threes).
Seems not like a typical Geno offense w/o major guard scoring (or am I wrong about that?)
Faris got her boards, there were nine assists, no blocks and steals.
A quiet night for the backcourt.

Wouldn't Muffit, Kim and Tara be thinking, if we stop KML and Big Mama, we win.

I am certainly a little concerned about Bria's scoring - she is playing much better in the last few games, but the scoring is still not there. For the rest of the guards, I figure their scoring is a bonus.
As for this being unusual ... I don't know that it is. The guard play is solid in everything but points, and when you look where the points are coming from on the floor for KML, BS, and SD they are well balanced in terms of inside and outside - you can't pack the paint on Stef or Stew because they will kill you out to 20 ft. and you can't simply guard KML at the three because she will take you inside as well. And you can't just ignore the other two players on the floor - KF, BB, CD, and BH are doing enough damage on open shots to make that option a non-starter. I like that BH is now driving and dishing and BB and MJ are fast at getting in the lane as well. And KF is taking shots from all over as well - pull ups and drives to go with her three pointers. And the following stats suggest that the offense is pretty balanced and very good:
Four players averaging double figures in scoring
Three more averaging between 5.6 and 8.3
Five players averaging between 24 and 28 minutes per game and five players averaging between 12 and 18 minutes per game
Assists on 427 of 630 made baskets
Leading D1 in scoring, scoring margin, opponents scoring, opponents shooting percentage, and second in FG % and 6th in rebound margin while playing the second toughest schedule (per Sagarin)

 

[msf22b]

Looking at the cumulative stats is an eye-opener for sure.