Tonights game thoughts

[UcMiami]

Fun game tonight. Some thoughts:
1. I thought PC looked pretty good considering a serious beat down. They kept playing hard, defending strong, and running their offense. They don't have the horses, but if they can get a few more good players they can rise up whatever conference exists.
2. Really liked MJ game tonight - aggressively looking to score. And she does not often misuse her speed - smart enough to pull it out before she gets into trouble.
3. Faris/Hartley connections were beautiful. Hartley seems to be back on form.
4. Double double for Stewart in a quiet sort of way.
5. Rest of the team played great and nice distribution of minutes.

 

[UConnCat]

Bria's body language is terrific. She's playing with confidence and even when she makes a mistake or misses a shot she isn't hanging her head. Her passing was really good, her shot is back and she's aggressively taking the ball to the basket.

I really liked MJ tonight as well.

 

[Tonyc]

Bria is not only playing better, but with confidence and is showing great leadership. That timing couldnt be better. KML Stef and Bria are all hitting on all cylinders. Breanna has looked great with on exception. Her outside shot has been inconsistent. Againest Baylor I think she plays down low with Stef up top. Breanna and Stef could rotate up top and down low. Breanna up top on defense will cause havoc for Baylors outside shooters who have problems shooting when guarded. This will be a great great game UConn 68 Baylor 53

 

[wire chief]

Bria is not only playing better, but with confidence and is showing great leadership. That timing couldnt be better. KML Stef and Bria are all hitting on all cylinders. Breanna has looked great with on exception. Her outside shot has been inconsistent. Againest Baylor I think she plays down low with Stef up top. Breanna and Stef could rotate up top and down low. Breanna up top on defense will cause havoc for Baylors outside shooters who have problems shooting when guarded. This will be a great great game UConn 68 Baylor 53

But, but Tony, doesn't the mojo get all goosey if you predict a score before dealing with the Knights of Scarlet?

 

[cohenzone]

I'm glad you mentioned how PC played. I thought that they generally played hard and well. Our talent was much too great for them.

 

[earl the pearl]

I'm glad you mentioned how PC played. I thought that they generally played hard and well. Our talent was much too great for them.

Was very impressed with PC's heart. They played hard even though under manned. KML continues to get better and better. Her shots don't even move the net. And only a sophomore!

 

[vtcwbuff]

My thought -
I didn't recognize the gym. Great makeover.

My other thought -
UConn 30 free throws, Providence 4 free throws. The refs must be crooked.

 

[cohenzone]

My thought -
I didn't recognize the gym. Great makeover.

My other thought -
UConn 30 free throws, Providence 4 free throws. The refs must be crooked.

NDs refs were available, so we grabbed them.

 

[JoePgh]

Regarding Bria's play, I agree that based on that last several games, "she's baaaack!"

One indication of that (not commented on much on the Boneyard) is the number of rebounds she was getting. That was always a distinguishing mark of her play in her freshman and sophomore years. She gets rebounds that someone of her size is not at all entitled to. It's attributable to uncanny positioning and hustle, as well as leaping ability. Her activity on the boards is a good indication of how her overall game is going.

Last night it was top-notch.

 

[Sonny44]

If Bria stays Bria we will another NC.

 

[EricLA]

It's really hard to take much away from the beatdown of PC. I agree solid play all the way around, but Depaul, Marquette and PC don't tell us much about how we will fare against Baylor or ND...

 

[UcMiami]

Eric - true, but it is nice to see the team clicking on all cylinders even in these games - the alternative is they play like crap and we all worry!

 

[vtcwbuff]

It's a lot easier to "click on all cylinders" when the opponent is so overmatched. Providence has zero defense. None.

I take nothing away from games like this except for a little self satisfaction that I remained awake for the entire game.

As an aside, doesn't clicking cylinders indicate an engine problem?

 

[EricLA]

Eric - true, but it is nice to see the team clicking on all cylinders even in these games - the alternative is they play like crap and we all worry!

That is true! I bet it was a fun game to watch. Still, we've looked like world beaters against weaker teams only to struggle inexplicably against teams we shouldn't (Maryland, PSU, SJU), or lose games we never thought we'd lose (ND).

Too bad i can't see them any more - SNY is no longer on ATT Uverse.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

It's a lot easier to "click on all cylinders" when the opponent is so overmatched. Providence has zero defense. None.

I take nothing away from games like this except for a little self satisfaction that I remained awake for the entire game.

As an aside, doesn't clicking cylinders indicate an engine problem?

Engine trouble or an empty gun! Firing on all cylinders is were Huskies should be at this time of the year.

 

[Uconnrick]

That is true! I bet it was a fun game to watch. Still, we've looked like world beaters against weaker teams only to struggle inexplicably against teams we shouldn't (Maryland, PSU, SJU), or lose games we never thought we'd lose (ND).

Too bad i can't see them any more - SNY is no longer on ATT Uverse.

Eric,

UConn sports is the only reason I keep Direct TV. I get the minimum package and add the sports channels. It's a bit more expensive than local alternatives, but well worth it.

 

[JRRRJ]

Too bad i can't see them any more - SNY is no longer on ATT Uverse.

The streaming version of the games has been good for us, with only a few problems of stuttering sound (and who cares anyhow?) when watching live. The archives are invaluable with our work & travel schedules.

 

[VAMike23]

If Bria stays Bria we will another NC.

I agree that Bria has to be Bria for us to go all the way. Simply won't happen if she's not at the top of her game, taking the bull by the horns.

I think she is certainly well on her way, but IMHO she is still not as fast as she was pre-injury. It may be that she won't be 100% physically until the summer. But her tenacity, confidence and 'bounce' are all much better than they were even last month.
.

 

[bruinbball]

I dislike the injury to BB as much as anyone, but unfortunately it may be the single thing that has had the most impact on the players. They now know they have to pick up the production that BB would have had. Bria, MJ and Doty have all picked up their level of play and it is a beautiful thing. I see more good things from Kiah and Morgan and there is no doubt they will be challenged and called upon to be productive against Baylor. If they are, I really like our chances.

 

[cohenzone]

If Bria stays Bria we will another NC.

Love the enthusiasm, but Britney has to promise not to be Britney, and Skylar not to be Skylar. just to make it easier on Bria. Let's see how we handle their teams later this regular season. Of course, Bria will be here next year, too.

 

[Kibitzer]

The challenge is there. Sims just had 18 points, 5 assists, 6 steals, and 0 turnovers. Griner had 7 blocks.

Their #1 ranking is justified.

I still like our chances. But it will be a challenge.

On the sartorial side, Geno is no match for Kim.

 

[UConnFan23]

I actually do think there was value and some good take aways from last nights game. I had a court-side seat at the foul line. Spectacular view and only a few feet away from the players. So here are some of the intagibles I felt from the game:

• Moriah - Based on her facial expressions and fluidity of movements, you could feel her confidence increasing with each successful steal and drive/score. Compare that with earlier in the season. A game where she has that kind of success means she is more likely to be comfortable attempting, and achieving, those plays in a big game. Moriah also had a lot of intense 1:1 offense/defense with # 12 (a very good player). She lost some of the first couple interchanges, but she won the last couple - - again a good, and confidence building (for the player and fans), progression.
• Kiah - Same type of situation as with Moriah, but for Kiah it was the offensive moves towards the basket. There was a progressive increase in confidence that you could feel, and it translated into quicker and more fluid moves towards the basket. I think she will, and the fans should, take a lot of positives from the game.
• Morgan, a favorite of mine, seemed more nervous and overthinking early in the game - hesitatant about where she should be and what she should do. During that last long period at the end of the game with 4 bigs and Moriah, Morgan settled in to a much better comfort zone.
• The whole team played with an intensity that lasted right through the game. That was one thing that kept everyone in their (very comfortable - are you listening UConn) chairs until the end. Remember how earlier BYers expressed frustration that we lost the last part of the game with our second team against many oppponents? Didn't happen last night. Sustained intensity and winning is also a good take away.
• Kerith - who I really enjoy as an insightful and poised interviewer - packs a large make-up case and mirror and puts them both to intense use at the annoucers table. Take away from last night is a great step by step confidence builder for the future big game demands to communicate (while looking good, which she can do with ease) valuable contributions at the F4. Sorry, Kerith, couldn't resist

So in addition to solidifying how much I enjoy this team, my bottom line take away from last night is that when the players can make these incremental improvements during a 56 point blow out - - they are much more likely to be able to, and will, acheive those same type of improved skills in a big game. I left the game much more (NC) optimistic than when I arrived, and I think with good reasons to feel that way.

 

[TRuconnfan]

"Too bad i can't see them any more - SNY is no longer on ATT Uverse.[/quote]"

Not sure if you looked into this in your area but in my area ATT Uverse is no longer in the regular sport package but is available in the HD package. We had to drop the sports package and add HD, a net plus of $7-8 a month but worth it for me. (although totally bogus a sports channel is no longer available on the sports package)

 

[pinotbear]

"On the sartorial side, Geno is no match for Kim.[/quote]

snakes don't come big enough, Kib: they just don't come big enough..

 

[Safitzz]

That is true! I bet it was a fun game to watch. Still, we've looked like world beaters against weaker teams only to struggle inexplicably against teams we shouldn't (Maryland, PSU, SJU), or lose games we never thought we'd lose (ND).

Too bad i can't see them any more - SNY is no longer on ATT Uverse.