Some thoughts on the tOSU game:
- This was a difficult game to watch. After UConn raced to a 10-2 lead forcing the Buckeyes to call timeout, the roof collapsed on the Huskies.
- tOSU is a guard-oriented team that starts 5 players, who are all approximately 6’ tall, which is good if you’re pressing, creating turnovers and scoring in transition. That’s exactly what happened today against UConn who has struggled with the turnover bugaboo all season.
- While turnovers were a big part of the problem, so too was the fact that UConn felt the pressure, was rushed on offense and took some really bad shots. With that said, UConn missed a bunch of wide-open looks and even struggled on the foul line.
- Unfortunately, many UConn fans will get pretty ugly in their criticism of Geno and some of his players for this loss. I CHOOSE NOT TO. The Huskies overcame adversity and persevered all season long. The team feels far worse about today’s game than any of us could possibly feel.
- tOSU clearly flopped whenever Aaliyah was in the same zip code. If the refs call it, it’s a successful strategy to take an AA player off the court.
- As I watched Azzi struggle for much of the game, all I could think of was DT’s play her freshman year during the national semifinal. Just like DT, Azzi will be back with a chance at redemption.
- Yes, If Paige was healthy, she changes the entire complexion of this game, singlehandedly. She makes all the right decisions against the press and settles down Azzi and her teammates.
- Nobody wants to lose the last game of the season, and yet, just about every team in the country does. The loss today is disappointing for sure. But it should not obscure the overall success and perseverance of this UConn team.
- Sincere thanks and best wishes in the future to Dorka & Lou, our two wonderful graduate transfers, who both played their hearts out today.
- Finally, channeling my inner Brooklyn Dodger fan, “Wait til next year!” As of right now UConn’s 2023-24 roster looks incredibly strong: Paige, Azzi, Nika, Aaliyah, Aubrey, Caroline, Ayanna, Ines, Amari, Ice, Jana, KK, Ashlynn & Qadence. How many days until next season starts?
Geno wasn’t out-coached. He has been able to cover over most of the deficiencies that this team has had since Day 1, but I give OSU credit, the exploited our weaknesses to an absolute T.
This team turned the ball over way too much - all year long it has been a MAJOR problem. Some of that is Nika is the only real ball handler they’ve had all year, some of it is they just make BAD passes. A team that pressed them the way OSU did is bound to cause a ton of turnovers, and they did. Watch our opponents next year try to do the same, because they will.
Azzi played one of her worst games, despite the 14 points, she seemed really tentative with the ball in her hands.
Nika had 7 turnovers, has to be a season high, but she’s a one man band out there in terms of ball handler.
Ah well. The season is over. With all that happened to this team over the past 9 months, I truly think they had a great season - winning the Regular Season BE, winning the BE tournament, with all of the injuries they had to deal with? They BATTLED, all season long. For the players coming back next year, this will serve as a reminder that losing hurts and winning is worth everything you need to put in to get it.
GO HUSKIES!