tOSU Postgame Thread

[PJCLaw]

I believe if Allie could average at least ten shots a game, she will average double figures for the season.

I don't think she needs 10 shots to average double figures because most of her shots will be from 3. If she averages making 2 per game out of 5, then she only needs two more from 2 (layups or pullups) and she has 10 points, so I'd say 7 shots a game should do it for her, 4 for 7, 2 for 5 from three.

 

[Longtime fan]

-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.

KK isn't always thinking clearly when she chooses to drive to the hoop, and the paint is already packed with three 6'4 players. That's why some of her drives are unsuccessful. But it is fun to watcher charge the lions nonetheless.

 

[Stagnant]

We actually saw the big lineup people have talked about previously. In the second quarter it was K9, Azzi, Blanca, Sarah, and Serah. And it was an effective lineup that helped break the game open.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

When your two best players and scorers who combined for 48 points also accounted for 14 assists between them you know something is very, very right. And then there is also Blanca who like today, can change the direction of a game within minutes.

The amazing part is her ability to run full speed faster than the opposing fastest guard, and gain separation at the last moment by jumping forward and upward and gaining distance with her long arms to make the layup unblockable.

Very smooth and effective at scoring through contact. The more amazing point is that this is only her second game on this continent at the Division I level!

Go Huskies!!!

 

[The CDR-Ret]

IMO to play a trick defense on Sarah, Or Sarah and Azzi, you have to be able to keep the ball out of the players' hands or at least far away from the hoop. How can you keep the ball away from Sarah? She's too big. Impossible for one person! She'd get the ball, then attack that flimsy box or diamond. Layup drill!
Not sure the D to stop Sarah has been invented yet. Maybe one of these coaches will figure a strategy. They'll have to run people at her. We had super quick double teams on Betts. Sarah's too agile. She'd get 15 assists.

How far is "far away" for Azzi? 70 feet? 92.75 feet? Azzi has hit consistently 5-6 feet beyond the arc. I'm thinking Azzi could hit >40% from the half-court line at this point (when she isn't on the 5th day of a nasty cold...)

Go Huskies!!!

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Very grateful to be at today's game and to have the chance to see the championship banner unveiled. As we all saw, Sarah put on a show, and it was great to see Blanca having a bit of a coming-out party as well as Ash getting some of her swagger back.

I also want to tip my cap to Jaloni Cambridge. She really played her heart out on every possession and was a ton of fun to watch. I've seen her on TV a fair amount, but I was struck by how slight she is in person; somehow that made her athleticism and fearlessness even more mind-boggling to me (a bit like Mo Jefferson). I know the game didn't go the way tOSU wanted, but there was no hanging her head: she just played hard throughout—the kind of kid I love to root for.

Particularly, the Nutmeg she (Jaloni Cambridge) pulled on Serah at the left "elbow." Sarah Strong stuffed her dribble on the next time down the court. A "not on my watch!!!" moment for Sarah.

Could also be filed under "Game recognizes Game."

Go Huskies!!!

 

[Stagnant]

I don’t know how good peacock is yet. They missed showing us a few UConn buckets because they were busy showing us highlights.

A Blanca bucket and an Ash 3 were definitely not shown.

 

[todbo]

30 bench points!

 

[Bone Dog]

I don’t know how good peacock is yet. They missed showing us a few UConn buckets because they were busy showing us highlights.

A Blanca bucket and an Ash 3 were definitely not shown.

I know what you mean. It’s not just the two commentators, who were not focused enough on the action. The camera work was only so so, and the choices of when to cut away for a replay was flawed. And it wouldn’t have hurt to have better stats work on the screen occasionally. I hope they get better at this as the season goes forward.

 

[Reypl21]

UConn is loaded with talent. They can play so many different ways. Geno always has to team peaking in March. It's scary to think what that would look like. Sarah Strong is the best player in the country. A little envious! I'm excited to watch them play Michigan

 

[Aluminny69]

-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.

Serah Williams only played 14 minutes. After playing close to the full 40 minutes in previous seasons, how will she feel about diminished minutes?

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I miss Gary Apple and Kara Wolters pregame, 1/2 time and post game!
Joe Zone and friend are terrible!
SNY always gave us their best!
I have a feeling (and at 78 I don't get too many feelings!), that the new coverage group won't be up to UConn standards!

 

[1974yankees]

I guess Blanca is the real deal. It won't be long before she is in the starting lineup.

18 points in 23 minutes....

And Sara is by far the best player in America.. She is the only player that has ever reminded me of Maya....

 

[MilfordHusky]

I prefer, “UConn is bad for WBB.” 😎

I need to give credit to a BY friend: Sarah Strong is bad for basketball. She was a woman among girls!

 

[MilfordHusky]

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.

It was good to see you my friend! One question after the game:

Who was that muscular, 24-year-old, 6'3" WNBA player wearing #4? She was flying down the court!

Blanca reminds me of Sveta: tall, fast, skilled, beyond her years.

 

[MilfordHusky]

When was the last time we shot 50/40/90 for a game?

This team is likely to excel at FT shooting this season. We have several good FT shooters, including the players who get to the line most often. Sarah is 11-12; 5 others have 0 misses. Only Kayleigh has more than a single miss.

 

[Skeets]

Also, a shoutout for her remarkable drive which included dribbling between Serah’s legs!

I was at the game, so no luxury of a replay. I said to myself, "Did I just see what I think I saw?" Also, for anyone who was at the game, did you notice that the PBA is running out of rafters? (This is a good problem to have.)

 

[Bald Husky]

Well said, BobbyJ. Katie should settle down... either market the shirts herself, or wait 'til Azzi's in the pros.

Actually, there was only one other jersey being sold, that being #34. Yes, no name on the back, but I find it strange that the only jersey of a current player is one who hasn't played in two years. No disrespect to Yanna, but just seems strange. In this world of NIL, all their jerseys should be available.

 

[Skeets]

It was good to see you my friend! One question after the game:

Who was that muscular, 24-year-old, 6'3" WNBA player wearing #4? She was flying down the court!

Blanca reminds me of Sveta: tall, fast, skilled, beyond her years.

Yeah, I can see that. One difference is that some of Blanca's passes are reckless. Svet's no-look passes were deadly for the opposition and fellow teammates if they weren't ready for the pass. Even when Svet bounced a no-look pass off of a teammate's head, it was hugely entertaining.

 

[oldude]

When was the last time we shot 50/40/90 for a game?

This team is likely to excel at FT shooting this season. We have several good FT shooters, including the players who get to the line most often. Sarah is 11-12; 5 others have 0 misses. Only Kayleigh has more than a single miss.

Here’s a trivia question for you. At present, there is one player on the team who is averaging 50/40/90 shooting for the season to date, and it’s not Sarah or Azzi.

Who is that player?
(No checking on the UConn stats page) 🤯

 

[HuskyNan]

It was good to see you my friend! One question after the game:

Who was that muscular, 24-year-old, 6'3" WNBA player wearing #4? She was flying down the court!

Blanca reminds me of Sveta: tall, fast, skilled, beyond her years.

Blanca turned 19 in August.

 

[WiseWillie]

You haven't been to the big store in the Student Union on campus? They have jerseys for all the players. I'm going next weekend and I'm going to pickup a #2. Fat, old dude wearing a point guard #.

Love it. Just the vision of that makes me smile. We are (at least some of us 😀) old but definitely happy and lucky fans.

 

[cabbie191]

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

I know what you mean. It’s not just the two commentators, who were not focused enough on the action. The camera work was only so so, and the choices of when to cut away for a replay was flawed. And it wouldn’t have hurt to have better stats work on the screen occasionally. I hope they get better at this as the season goes forward.

One more nit to pick about Peacock’s coverage - incorrect graphics.

At least twice they had a visual saying all UConn victories this year have been by 30 or more points.

I know 13 (MOV vs Louisville) sounds a bit like 30 but ………

 

[victor64]

My favorite Peacock graphic:

OSU lost 6 starters from last years team. Hmmm😎

 

[Majic Hands]

KK isn't always thinking clearly when she chooses to drive to the hoop, and the paint is already packed with three 6'4 players. That's why some of her drives are unsuccessful. But it is fun to watcher charge the lions nonetheless.

I thought she had figured it out but apparently not quite there yet. I’ve only noticed it twice this year so far. Not twice a game. Which is a massive improvement.

I think there’s probing the defense and then there’s having no idea what you’re wanting to do. . . Turnover.

 

[Dogstar]

Here’s a trivia question for you. At present, there is one player on the team who is averaging 50/40/90 shooting for the season to date, and it’s not Sarah or Azzi.

Who is that player?
(No checking on the UConn stats page) 🤯

I'd say either Caroline or maybe BQ

 

[oldude]

I'd say either Caroline or maybe BQ

Pick one and you will be right or wrong.

 

[Dogstar]

Pick one and you will be right or wrong.

I'll go with....BQ, bcus i don't really remember Caroline shooting a FT.

 

[Zinethar]

I think my pick would be KK for the 50/40/90. She makes her FT rarely shoots the 3 but has been making them, and many or most of her other shots are layups which she at times misses but would make over 50%.

 

[oldude]

I think my pick would be KK for the 50/40/90. She makes her FT rarely shoots the 3 but has been making them, and many or most of her other shots are layups which she at times misses but would make over 50%.

Good guess….but wrong.