tOSU Postgame Thread

[huskeynut]

This was a methodical beat down. Each quarter UConn improved in their offense and defense.

Seems Geno has the small lineup and a big lineup now. With Sarah, Serah and Blanca on the floor together, this a physical, athletic front court that most teams will not be able to handle.

Still things to work on. Chemistry will improve.

 

[Geew1992]

Announce team: these two set a new low. Just terrible

I usually don’t complain about the announcers but they were horrible

 

[Stagnant]

I am wondering if something happened with Serah because she only played 14 minutes and, I believe, hardly none in the 2nd half. She was certainly quite effective in the minutes she played.

I think we just decided to match up with them. “They are going to press all game? Fine, here is a small ball lineup!” Jana didn’t play in the first half either.

Maybe Serah’s minutes is a good question for the presser?

 

[REB1094]

For the last few years I’ve been saying “We have Paige Bueckers. You don’t.” after wins

Time to enter a new era. We have Sarah Strong. You don’t.

 

[David54]

Love to see Geno coach some discipline into Blanca w/o touching her aggressiveness.

 

[Centerstream]

Looking forward for when Peacock posts the replay...this will be a great game to watch again. Oops! It's already available. Yippee!
But I am going to wait a while before I watch it. Let the nerves settle down.

 

[donalddoowop]

For the last few years I’ve been saying “We have Paige Bueckers. You don’t.” after wins

Time to enter a new era. We have Sarah Strong. You don’t.

Come up with something new and original. That has gotten old. 😵‍💫

 

[Husky fanatic]

For those Blanca doubters,what do you think now? For a while I thought we were the”traveling team”. Pun intended. Some thought Ohio State’s Big was going to be a factor except she was a non factor . Still some work to do but pretty darn good overall. Michigan is next test. Can’t wait

 

[donalddoowop]

Looking forward for when Peacock posts the replay...this will be a great game to watch again. Oops! It's already available. Yippee!
But I am going to wait a while before I watch it. Let the nerves settle down.

Where? I don't see it. I missed the live action because it started before I thought it would.

 

[Centerstream]

Where? I don't see it. I missed the live action because it started before I thought it would.

I found it in the Sports section:

 

[NoSpamHere]

You have to love it when your starting point guard doesn’t score and still has a +/- of 35.

 

[Huskee11]

I was at the game. Good crowd, good atmosphere. Ohio State is a decent opponent with speed at the guard position that will give many teams fits. Not great inside overall although Kitts has potential. Losing McMahon was a big blow to them.

For me, it was great to see a more assertive Serah and an unselfish team that compiled 30 assists on 39 field goals.

But my two biggest takeaways are that Shade appears to have rediscovered her three point shot, and that the Blanca I was hoping to see showed up. The lightning speed at which she plays may be more evident in person than watching on tv. She did get herself in trouble a few times, but she made some jaw dropping positive plays as well. And hitting from three is an added bonus.

 

[jcoton56]

With all the money that went into whatever they call it now, do ya think they could have a proper media area where you can hear the questions and the answers? Bush league Hartford.

 

[Inthepaint]

Where? I don't see it. I missed the live action because it started before I thought it would.

Yeah
Thought it was 6:30pm Central Time
Am I just loopy or was it changed?

 

[Bigboote]

I expected UConn to win somewhat comfortably, but I really didn't expect them to drop 100 points on Ohio State. OSU is usually a good defensive team, either that's changed or UConn is more of an offensive juggernaut than I'd thought.

Sarah Strong is the best player in the NCAA. And it's not close. It's a lot easier to win a National Championship when you have a player like that. 9 of UConn's 12 championships have come with Stewie, Diana, or Maya.

30 assists is crazy.

We're beginning to learn what the regular rotation will be. Allie and Kayleigh were both in for close to 20 minutes despite not having good offensive games.

 

[HuskyNan]

Azzi had a bit of a slow start and Geno said she has a cold. Her voice was very raspy in the postgame presser.

 

[Lurker]

I liked that we:

• scored first right off the tip to set the tone
• won each quarter
• didn't let a 30 point lead decrease to 10 or 15

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[Skeets]

tOSU is not Loyola and yet UConn spanked them real hard. What's scary is that UConn is only going to get better.

 

[Stagnant]

Ziebell and Heckel look like reliable backups at the 1 and the 2. And maybe that was a question coming into the season?

I just want them to find their 3 point shot once they get more comfortable.

 

[Blond D.]

I have 2 words to describe this UCONN team.....

HIGHOCTANE COOLOCITY!

 

[uconnever]

-OSU’s full court pressure gave UConn all kinds of problems in defeating the Huskies in the tourney two years ago today. I bet the team watched a ton of tape of that game because it was not much of a factor today.

-With Blanca’s inevitable bump in minutes, someone else’s would decrease. Today, at least,
it was Jana. I don’t think it is concern about Jana, Blanca is just that good.

-If I was an opposing coach, how would game plan to slow Strong down? I would box and chase her, double her when she gets and take my chances with others when she passes out of the double. Playing her straight up is becoming a waste of time.

-Being patient with Serah is of course pay off. Each game her comfort level increases.

-KK can get to basket at will but missed layups off those penetrations is becoming a concern.

-Allie got significant minutes even though it was not her best shooting day. She continues to reinforce the idea that she is more than just a 3 point shooter.

-Two thoughts why Geno stayed with the Sarah and Azzi a little longer than normal. OSU kept pressing and I think Geno had a little revenge or payback on his mind for the NCAA loss. Just a guess.

-Peacock’s production of college football is terrible. Sadly, that has carried over to basketball. The announcers were OK but somebody has to be reminded that replays should appear when baskets and action are going on.

-Watching Sarah dominate is great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

I agree about KK, to me during the tourney, last year, she was the one who looked like she had gotten better more than anyone else and it carried into this year, but tonight I hadn’t seen that KK since the first half of last season. It was strange. I LOOOOOOVE Allie’s game. She is a lot like Strong in how relaxed she plays. I think she’s going to explode this year. Heckel is another player I love but her decision making needs to improve. Gets me frustrated at times.

 

[WiseWillie]

We made lots of mistakes -- silly fouls, even sillier passes -- and still rolled like a millstone over tOSU. They were little more than gnats on the visor. Like a Luxury car rolling over a paper clip. If this group can come together as tightly as last season's did, come March it will look like the greatest show on Earth!

Sarah was like an adult playing against kids. Azzi was ice cold in the first, but ended with 19.

Ash looked like she was out of sorts at first, but ended with 10 pts, 4 assists and 2 steals -- and 2-3 from beyond the arc.

And Blanca, OMG! 18 pts (7-11) 4 rebounds 2 steals and, of course 5 TOs. But even with the mistakes, she's still totally worth the price of admission. And the TOs were all on bad passes.

And yes, Allie looked composed and focused in her 17 minutes, and was often the press breaker. Go, Allie!!!

Geno is still so far from realizing the full potential of this group!

Like all your comments but want to add sitting on the bench when taken out with just a few minutes left in the 4th, Azzi had a look of disgust on her face. Without reading too much into such a brief picture, I think she could have been feelingf that she could have done better even though she scored 19 points after a slow start. If so, I hope she learns to give herself some grace because she is a tremendous player and she shows up every game ready to provide her unique skills and to give the team a boost when needed whether scoring or defending. Plus I am sure Geno will be quite happy with a 19 point performance even though Azzi has the capability to double it.

 

[Huskie837]

Was at the game; BQ was so good! The future looks bright!

 

[GoUconn7961]

I hadn’t been to a game in years and I’m glad I got to go to this one. We were all hoping that Sarah would get that triple double. So close! Really fun game. And that wasn’t their A game.

 

[RoadMaster]

Swipe..

 

[BBallF]

-OSU’s full court pressure gave UConn all kinds of problems in defeating the Huskies in the tourney two years ago today. I bet the team watched a ton of tape of that game because it was not much of a factor today.

-With Blanca’s inevitable bump in minutes, someone else’s would decrease. Today, at least,
it was Jana. I don’t think it is concern about Jana, Blanca is just that good.

-If I was an opposing coach, how would game plan to slow Strong down? I would box and chase her, double her when she gets and take my chances with others when she passes out of the double. Playing her straight up is becoming a waste of time.

-Being patient with Serah is of course pay off. Each game her comfort level increases.

-KK can get to basket at will but missed layups off those penetrations is becoming a concern.

-Allie got significant minutes even though it was not her best shooting day. She continues to reinforce the idea that she is more than just a 3 point shooter.

-Two thoughts why Geno stayed with the Sarah and Azzi a little longer than normal. OSU kept pressing and I think Geno had a little revenge or payback on his mind for the NCAA loss. Just a guess.

-Peacock’s production of college football is terrible. Sadly, that has carried over to basketball. The announcers were OK but somebody has to be reminded that replays should appear when baskets and action are going on.

-Watching Sarah dominate is great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

There are 3 immediate problems with playing a box and 1 on Sarah and then doubling her. 1) She is the best front court passer in the country. Is there another 4 that could have made that lead bounce pass to Serah? Also, all of our guards know how to cut and our bigs in Jana and Serah are getting better at finishing every game. 2) Azzi- If she is the beneficiary of a double, she can ring up 30 and not break a sweat. 3) Sarah is so quick she can score before a double gets to her and gets a lot of her points in transition where the box is irrelevant. I'm sure we will see several trick defenses along the way though. Let's see what Michigan does.

 

[Willowglen]

Interesting in the post game interview that Sarah said the team noted the need to play shut down defense and started flipping the switch prior to the coaches.
If the team is exhibiting that level of maturity already, look out!!

UConn is so proficient I can’t put the correct description on this game. I have a lingering thought OSU is very talented, but was overmatched in coaching and execution. This statement is likely accurate to some degree. But from another perspective UConn is so talented even a superb OSU coaching effort likely would have resulted in a blowout.

All sorts of variances come to mind. The best two woman game in the nation - not even close - is between Fudd and Strong. There will be games where the big people (like Blanca who is quick) will just be open for easy shots and considerable points.

Too early to start this. But I have watched UCLA and while good at least a standard deviation below UConn. Ditto for SCar.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Had the pleasure of attending the game with @MilfordHusky. Two quick thoughts: 1) When the game is still in question and competitive, the team looks much more confident and composed with Sarah Strong on the court versus the times she's on the bench. 2) Teams experiencing Blanca for the first time are not prepared for her speed and athleticism. I think that the Big East teams should be very afraid.

 

[HuskyNan]

There are 3 immediate problems with playing a box and 1 on Sarah and then doubling her. 1) She is the best front court passer in the country. Is there another 4 that could have made that lead bounce pass to Serah? Also, all of our guards know how to cut and our bigs in Jana and Serah are getting better at finishing every game. 2) Azzi- If she is the beneficiary of a double, she can ring up 30 and not break a sweat. 3) Sarah is so quick she can score before a double gets to her and gets a lot of her points in transition where the box is irrelevant. I'm sure we will see several trick defenses along the way though. Let's see what Michigan does.

Yes, opponents, please play a box and one on Sarah and leave Azzi, Serah, and Blanca with only one defender