Tulsa Postgame Thread

[Ozimoto]

Everything is better when they shoot 56% from the floor as opposed to 29%. Yes, it was Tulsa, but things certainly looked better than they did against Memphis!

 

[SCyankee]

Everything is better when they shoot 56% from the floor as opposed to 29%. Yes, it was Tulsa, but things certainly looked better than they did against Memphis!

So we played UCONN style basketball against a weak opponent. Are we really capable of a FF and NC? I think we are but we need 2 things.
First we need incremental improvement on offense every game with no regression. Second we need a break or two. Remember that we defeated Louisville to win a championship, not a Griner led Baylor. Similarly S Carolina defeated Mississippi State not UCONN in the final. In both instances the eventual champion defeated a rival they had already beaten multiple times that season. Additionally the champions both lost to the defeated semifinalist during the regular season. The championships were completely legitimate, but they did catch a critical break

 

[Longtime fan]

Some thoughts on the Tulsa game:

• With students back on campus for the start of classes tomorrow, it had to be a good feeling for the Huskies to be home again at Gampel.
• UConn’s offense is still a work in progress, but the Husky defense continues to put together some remarkable stretches. The first & second qtrs vs Tulsa were the 3rd & 4th time in 4 games when UConn held an opponent to 6 pts or less for a qtr. Liv played a great 1st qtr with 6 rbs, 2 steals and 1 block, while being an effective and intimidating presence in the paint. In the second qtr, Aubrey was everywhere. She reminds me of a giant, annoying spider. I love seeing UConn in a full court press with Aubrey at the point.
• Anna played a really good all-around game that gives me hope she’s just about where she needs to be to earn back that 5th starter spot and make a big difference for this team. In the 4th qtr, you could just tell she was feeling it, knowing that anything she put up was going in. It reminded me just a little bit of Lou, who was in attendance at the game today.
• Much better movement on offense today. There were few if any possessions in the half-court when the ball got stuck and players stood around watching.
• Crystal continues to be the rock of this team, while Megan looked like the player who dazzled us all to start the season.
• The Huskies need to carry this effort forward to the matchup with the LV’s on Thursday.

As usual, you make really good points.

- I find it hard to credit the defense quite as much as you do, only because Tulsa is pretty awful. But the numbers support your conclusion.

- Aubrey looked stronger and fitter yesterday than at any point in the season. I know that isn't possible, but it appeared so. I still believe she needs to start shooting the ball. She was a prolific scorer in HS, and didn't only make lay-ups.

- Ania showed yesterday that she is clearly ready to become the fifth starter. It is really kind and a huge complement for you to say that she "reminded you of Lou" ( who, indeed , was there ). I believe Ania ( gut feel...I never actually know anything ), if she returns next season physically transformed ( as Megan Walker did), and with a productive of-season ( UCONN must arrange all kinds of opportunities for their players to develop their games in the summer ) , she might just become a star in her own right.

- You didn't mention it, but C. Williams may have re-discovered her outside shot yesterday. And that is an immense boost for this offense.

- everything was, indeed, much better yesterday. Tennessee will be an interesting game.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Some more on the change in Anna. “I just trust the process. Just don’t overthink stuff and play the game of basketball and I think it started to work for me,” Makurat said. “I hope it’s going to get better and better so I just want to stay confident.”

Anna Makurat finding her comfort zone

Freshman Anna Makurat is finding that touch of the "old Anna."

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