Top 3 Things You Want To See At South Carolina on Sunday. Game is at 1:00 pm on ABC.

[BBallF]

I was going to start a new thread, but thought that my comments
might fit here...
I rewatched a bunch of games....

To date...and with relative consistency, this is a team that has not displayed a clear identity...especially on offense. There have been blips...Azzi's last game, but no consistency. No one can be especially confidant that the sort of production required will automatically be displayed against SC...Nor can one be especially confidant that Paige will take over the game...either to compliment Azzi or to replace her output.

Why? Because repeatedly, it hasn't happened. I always dismissed baseball's preoccupation with stats as being over the top...and now BasketB is adopting them as well...but it's as good a predictor as any; better than most...

And what do the stats tell us ...loud and clear...That this year's UConn woman folds against top-ten teams...and plays far poorer than their potential.

Not much discussed here: Are this season's Huskies underachieving?
And if so...to whom should blame be assigned?
the coaching staff? players who don't accept coaching...In this new era in which Paige may be bringing home more Euros than the staff...Is all that money having a negative effect on her relationship with Geno and his assistants.

Or is this whole season a rope-a-dope In which Geno is holding back the ultimate wisdom only to pull it out for the NCAA's...Why do I think not?
Because of the consistent inability for someone or group to step up.
We've seen it three times now; hopefully not a fourth.

what you see is what you've got.
How I'd love to be flat out wrong..

One thing that is very different this year is the high quality of several other teams (thanks to the portal and NIL) including UCLA, USC, ND, SC, LSU and Texas at the least. You are also right about one thing about this team and it is that the team's identity is not consistent. It seems at this time that this team has less of a Paige stamp on it than in prior years.

Geno has only missed one Final Four (without Paige) in a long time so the odds favor him. They just have to play like they are going to win, not be tight, and just let it go. At this point, they have nothing to lose by playing to win. No one expects an upset. It just might be that this team is not good enough to beat the other teams. I don't believe that. I think they all have to play the way they are capable of at the same time, that's all.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

1. Everyone that steps on the court does their best performance of the season.
2. Stay healthy.
3. Jana, & Aubrey have to really hold their own in the paint! At least a stand off!

 

[itsasport]

UConn has the talent and depth to win a national championship. What they do not have, YET, is what has always set UConn above the competition- the great team play that only comes from the instruction of the best coaching staff in basketball and practice, practice, practice.

This team is not even close to reaching its peak. It has two great players who have recovered from serious injuries and several fantastic younger players who are learning what it takes to play successfully against top 10 college teams.

It does not matter to me who wins against SC. I just want to see signs that they are getting what it is to play UConn basketball.

And let us remember that in past years, UConn has lost to their top competitors during the regular season, but won the national championship (and vice versa)

Attach files

 

[Stagnant]

1. Start the game well. Start the third quarter well. Can’t afford lethargic stretches in this game.

2. Paige. Sorry. But UConn needs her to be the best player on the court.

3. No timid Azzi. She is coming off arguably the best game of her career. Do it against South Carolina. I know their defense is elite, but azzi’s release is so quick that she will still get some open looks. Hit them.

 

[Next 12]

I must respond that I truly appreciated the UCONN game vs Iowa State.
" I GOTTA BELIEVE" that if the Huskies can put together another 40 minutes
like that, then Geno becomes Michelangelo, and the team becomes a group of
individual Pietas. (Choose your own analogy). We all have our own version of
"Guadalcanal Diary". Go Huskies, break you record for 3 pointers in a game....
again, and again!

Please excuse the way I post as I'm 91 and am not computer literate. There are only three statistical catagories that So, Carolina beats Uconn in, REBOUNDING and BLOCKED shots and free throw. Statistically Uconn has scored a higher shooting average, More 3 pointers ,Higher shooting percentage in 3's,More ASSISTS by a wide margin, Less turnovers and more steals. Uconn has scored more total points than SC. My 3 things I want to see is ( 1 ) Win the 3 pointers, ( 2 )Less turnovers and more steals. ( 3 ) Less fouls. Uconn does that, WE WIN!!!!!!! GO FRESHMEN!!!! GO SOPHOMORES!!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!!! GO ASHLYNN!!!!!!

 

[Forego]

Old cliche: If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly.

New UConn version: if you’re going to be a women’s basketball player, be Shea Ralph.

Does anyone remember Shea taking a game or a half off? How about one play? Does everyone get the drift?

 

[JellyBean]

Old cliche: If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly.

New UConn version: if you’re going to be a women’s basketball player, be Shea Ralph.

Does anyone remember Shea taking a game or a half off? How about one play? Does everyone get the drift?

Bad knees an all! Shea was going to give you 25-35 minutes with those bad knees. She is on my all-time roster.

 

[Hist-teacher]

1. Toughness (mental and physical)
2. Our top players play to their full potential
3. A real exciting game throughout (a UConn victory would be a bonus)

 

[Conndog]

1) I’d like to see Sarah stationed more down low, complementing Jana around the basket- Sarah has height and great hands and can score or get fouled down there, plus she would be better positioned to rebound. Her presence down low should keep defenders from piling up on Jana too. Guards need to be ready to pass inside

2) Paige, Ash, Azzi and Kaitlyn need to hit their shots. SC is a great defensive team but if Paige can be really assertive, both the inside the key jumper is available for the taking as SC will overplay when guarding, or the kick out back to another shooter will be an option. Look for Azzi with her quick shot to be firing and on target today.

3) Big key is rebounding and limiting second chance points for SC- Aubrey will get minutes, but it needs to be all hands on deck for rebounding. UConn guards like to leak out for fast break points but in this game they should pay more attention to securing rebounds. And speaking of Aubrey, I might want to see her guarding Joyce Edwards if Jana gets in foul trouble or just needs to sit for a rest- Aubrey is a great defender and rebounder. Jana, keep your hands straight up on defense!

 

[Basingstoke]

Before continuing: no injuries &, hopefully, a win...
1) The team to relax and realize that even when confronted by good defense, there are still open and good shots to be had (& made).
2) The rebounding equivalent of "everybody eats" - everyone contributes to boxing out and aggressively rebounding.
3) Paige & Azzi to be dominant (Sarah, too) and for Jana to have the game slow down for her.

 

[Zinethar]

A win and no injuries are obvious for every game but the 3 for this one are:
1. No (or VERY few) bunnies missed.
2. Defense has a solid game for 4 quarters to limit SC
3. UConn puts up 70+ points and holds SC to 70- points.