UCLA Game Thread

[huskeynut]

No Lou and an 18 point win over #5 UCLA.

 

[oldude]

So this Walker kid might be a halfway decent player once she learns how to make a layup

 

[bags27]

This is a mighty, mighty win. Without an All-American and with jet lag against a hostile crowd, they did what they needed. That's the big story. Forget about lapses, rejoice in the overall effort. They are awesome!

 

[Blueballer]

Outplayed badly again in a 4th quarter.

Played a great 3rd though.

How terrible . Outplayed for a stretch by the number 5 team in the country.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Announcers UConn will learn from this game as well. If they play another team with the guards that UCLA has, they'll handle the ball batter. Most likely will also have KLS in the lineup. Not a pretty game for UConn, but still a dominating win.

 

[Blueballer]

This is a mighty, mighty win. Without an All-American and with jet lag against a hostile crowd, they did what they needed. That's the big story. Forget about lapses, rejoice in the overall effort. They are awesome!

Indeed. Excellent game.

 

[Kaizen]

Finally 78-60, thanks to everyone's cheer for this win ...

 

[YellwJcket999]

We have a lot of work to do. A gem - diamond. Unpolished but a diamond nonetheless.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Positives:
- Collier looks to be back
- Megan Walker was outstanding, and shot extremely well (this had been a concern)
- Defense through the first 3 quarters was great

Negatives:
- Stevens seems to gum up the works, no idea what her role is
- Inconsistency in the 2nd and 4th quarters (last 5 minutes were among the ugliest stretch of basketball I've seen from a UConn team in a while)

 

[Sluconn Husky]

How terrible . Outplayed for a stretch by the number 5 team in the country.

Not sure UCLA is actually the 5th best team in the nation. Either way, UConn looked like the fresher team for much of the second half then got outscored by 11 over the final 12 minutes.

 

[eebmg]

Should feel great but I got to admit, the sloppyness of the last quarter put a bit of a damper but if we really assess things, 2 possible question marks were really answered.

1) Megan can be trusted for scoring and defense. Going to fight Z for minutes.
2) Pheesa does not seem to have some hidden injury

Also, Crystal is as good as any guard in the country within our scheme.

 

[msf22b]

Interesting is that when UConn pulled away, Z was on the bench.

 

[iri10]

I really like Geno's no mercy to UCLA ...

In hindsight, perhaps it was "no mercy" to his own starters. I think Geno sometimes thinks along the lines of, "Well, if the starters continue to expand the lead some in the 4th, I'll take them out." And then, "They're actually losing ground? Well, I guess they can stay in." And then, "Well fine, if that's how it's gonna be - they ain't coming out."

 

[Wbbfan1]

Canada ended up with 15 points, but most of them late in the 4th quarter when the game was already decided. Surprised the ESPN Box Score only shows her with 4 assists, thought she had more. UCLA would be a better team if Canada looked for her shots earlier in the game.

 

[Kaizen]

We have a new star "Megan Walker" was born.

 

[Orangutan]

Or, ya know, UConn will win by 25+

Apologies, it was a mere 18

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Dangerfield the difference-maker, imo. She not only controls the tempo but now might be the 3rd best shot-maker on the team.

 

[jaundicedeye]

"bmayuc, post: We played C-/D+ game with 6 players...

I would call the effort a solid "B"

 

[HoopsFan21]

Interesting is that when UConn pulled away, Z was on the bench.

I think she just gets in the way of the offense right now. Like I said, when she's out there her, Collier, and Gabby are just trying to avoid running into each other and there's no real purpose to the offense. This is the third year of the core four playing together and they mesh well together at this point.

 

[ASweet3781]

Not to interrupt the same 3 posters who wallow in a pity party if we don't look like a well oiled machine for 40 minutes, but do you think the lag at the end may have to do with playing 6 players, flying across the country 48 hours earlier, missing a top scorer, and playing a top 10 team?

No of course not. Carry on.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

A difficult opponent and work to be done; ugly ending, but a win and a very decent margin. Wish Z had been able to do more. Glad a freshman is not acting like one.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Not to interrupt the same 3 posters who wallow in a pity party if we don't look like a well oiled machine for 40 minutes, but do you think the lag at the end may have to do with playing 6 players, flying across the country 48 hours earlier, missing a top scorer, and playing a top 10 team?

No of course not. Carry on.

Don't forget 3rd game against top 25 competition in 5 days with upcoming games on Saturday afternoon and then Tuesday to close out this road trip.

 

[VAMike23]

With Z out, our spacing was so , so , SO much better tonight. Driving lanes everywhere, and all 5 were cutting from a high offense.

A thing of beauty, truly, against a very athletic and quick UCLA squad to be able to do that to them with small ball.

Z had her moments but small ball won out against this opponent on this night. Way to go guys!

Great win - lots to build on, some things to work on as well. Couldn't ask for more at this point in the season , without Lou especially.

Kudos to the team.

 

[eebmg]

I wonder what Geno's mood will be in the Post Game Conference? It can go either way.

 

[Kaizen]

Dangerfield the difference-maker, imo. She not only controls the tempo but now might be the 3rd best shot-maker on the team.

Dangerfield: next time don't tell me I am not the best PG in college women basketball.