UCLA UConn

[BobbyJ]

Frankly, I don’t think Oregon & MD are particularly good defensive teams. MD in particular allowed UCLA to get a bunch of uncontested jump shots from 15’ in, and just about every single MD defender got beat repeatedly off the dribble. Against Stanford, a good defensive team, UCLA had 51 pts.

Problem is, defensively UConn is a lot closer to MD. than Stanford. UCLA could have near 35 offensive rebounds in this one.

 

[Vowelguy]

The solution to rebounding by the opposition is shooting a high percentage

Uhhh, the problem is defensive rebounds. Buffalo had a ton of offensive rebounds, esp in 1st half.

 

[GoUconn7961]

Honestly - I think this team kind of likes being thought of as an underdog - especially Napheesa

 

[Tonyc]

We can score alot of points against UCLA. We have height and we are fundamentally sound. UCLA has been able to speed games up which is an advantage for them because of their quickness. UConn can play up tempo. Two things UConn has to do imo. Hit a fair percentage of their outside shots and not rely on outside shooting and they must attack the basket on offense. UConn must stay out of foul trouble. If UConn is in foul trouble and with a short bench they are defenseless. You saw that against Buffalo. I like our chances alot in this game. Tenn and MD are not UConn. UCLA ran right around Tenn and MD. Neither showed me any good defense. So as good as UCLA looked against both they wont look that way against UConn. Geno will have a game plan to stop UCLA. Dont be surprised if UConn beats UCLA by 15+pts.

We had problems with Buffalo because of foul trouble and everybody but me was in foul trouble. lol We have been playing at a different level too except when we're in foul trouble. Geno will have UConn ready for next weekend. UCLA is playing good but not UConn good.

 

[oldude]

Problem is, defensively UConn is a lot closer to MD. than Stanford. UCLA could have near 35 offensive rebounds in this one.

I think it’s the other way around. MD gives up 61 ppg (same as Stanford) to UConn’s 55. UConn held ND, Baylor & Louisville all under their season average.

While UConn does not have a NDPOY on the team this year, they play fundamentally sound defense, giving up roughly one more basket per game then last season when the Huskies had 2 NDPOY’s on the team.

Watching MD yesterday, their defense broke down constantly allowing open looks and easy baskets. I really don’t see any comparison between the Huskies and the Lady Turtles.

 

[Jmsdawg]

Frankly, I don’t think Oregon & MD are particularly good defensive teams. MD in particular allowed UCLA to get a bunch of uncontested jump shots from 15’ in, and just about every single MD defender got beat repeatedly off the dribble. Against Stanford, a good defensive team, UCLA had 51 pts.

Oregon held McCowan to 5 points, I say that indicates they know defense! As for matchup, I fear UCLA rebounding will cause UConn problems, rebounding was a key to the win over MD. DO NOT LOOK PAST UCLA!

 

['nuff sed]

We currently sit in the AAC largely because of ESPN. That's about as anti-UConn as you can get. They acted in concert with the ACC to destroy the old Big East because they had hitched their economic wagon to the ACC. Getting rid of the Big East meant one less major conference mouth to feed with rights fees. UConn got voted out of the ACC by Boston College, Clemson and Florida State, but ESPN was calling the shots from behind the scenes. The North Carolina schools wanted UConn. Meanwhile, UConn's administration sat idly by while watching a glorified community college in northern Kentucky, with a corrupt athletic administration, lobby the ACC for admission. Adding insult to injury, the politicians in CT have showered ESPN with tax breaks to keep them from leaving the state. The state has become ESPN's lapdog, while ESPN is principally responsible for putting UConn's athletic budget in a 40 million dollar hole. Rest assured UConn has no friends in management at ESPN.

UConn was not blocked from the ACC by ESPN

UConn was thwarted in an attempted entry to the ACC by Boston College right from the start way back when.

ESPN had nothing to do with it.

Wanna blame somebody, blame BC and a swamp full of bad blood.

 

[connie]

ROFL I'll take that bet.

Seriously? To the extent wagering is permitted (and I take no position on that for purposes of this colloquy), then depending on the amount at issue . . . I accept.

If UCLA loses, I'll have purchased more happiness for the price paid than I could otherwise acquire on the open market anywhere else.

 

[NEforceUConn]

I think Crystal will have an outstanding game! Kind of reminds me when, on the men's side in 2014, DeAndre Daniels blew up (especially after Coach Calhoun told DeAndre that ESPN Analysts are talking about everyone else and not you). For Friday's game I see a lot of names being mentioned as keys (not so much Crystal) but I think it may well be time where CD blows up.

edit: throwing salt over shoulder.

 

[connie]

giving up roughly one more basket per game then last season when the Huskies had 2 NDPOY’s on the team.

In the words of Johnny Carson, I did not know that. Wonderful stat.

 

[UConnNick]

UConn was not blocked from the ACC by ESPN

UConn was thwarted in an attempted entry to the ACC by Boston College right from the start way back when.

ESPN had nothing to do with it.

Wanna blame somebody, blame BC and a swamp full of bad blood.

You're wrong. Then BC athletic director Gene DeFilippo was even quoted afterward as admitting they consulted with ESPN and acted in concert. Maybe a slip of the tongue or maybe not, but it's the truth. It was all about money in ESPN's case, and frankly BC would have needed help to influence the vote because they were and still are an outlier in the ACC. BC was wet pants scared that ACC membership would legitimize UCONN and marginalize BC in their shared territory and markets.

 

[Rixxx]

At this point in the tournament, you begin seeing teams with height. This year is no exception. Remaining teams with height= Baylor, ND, Stanford, MSS, even Louisville. UCLA has a rebounding reputation. Beginning with UCLA, each of the above opponents will present a rebounding opportunity.

 

[veryolddog]

This is an easy read. UConn must get the ball through the hoop more times than UCLA and have more points consistently for 4 quarters not like the last game. Let's not miss umpteen layups, hand the ball over to the other team with stupid passing, and continually try making 3's when you are missing and just pass the dam ball to the best inside player in women's basketball to make two points every time, Pheesa Collier.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Absolutely agree. In fact, I give a decided edge to UCLA. This does not mean (to state the obvious) that UConn cannot win, or (to state the obvious) that I do not hope they do. As noted in the Towson postgame thread, "everything changes when outside shots go down"--or, one might add, when outside shots do not go down. Anything less than a strong night of outside shooting for UConn can spell defeat. And even that is no guarantee. UCLA is no cream puff. They've scored at least 73 points per game in their last nine games, including 83, 89 and 85 in their last three.

So . . . make no mistake, given UCLA's length and athleticism, its confidence and momentum, if and when UCLA starts to hang close, get a lead, or even perhaps stretch a lead a bit into the first five minutes of the third quarter, they may begin to smell blood in the water; and things could get ugly for UConn. Under such circumstances UCLA, could win this by 15 points, perhaps even more.

When the 3 isn't going and Napheesa is triple teams. Uconn has options it has not used. When 3 players guard ONE, 2 players have no one guarding them--take advantage of that. When the 3 isn't going, find ways to score within 7 ft. Walker and Napheesa are great from that distance. CW is the best driving player since RENE, give her the ball and say Go, win this game (as he did to Danger against Baylor as a frosh.) When they are driving, tighten up the zone and let the 3's fly--usually they are only a 30 percent shot at best. Hit the boards.

 

[GoUconn7961]

UConn was not blocked from the ACC by ESPN

UConn was thwarted in an attempted entry to the ACC by Boston College right from the start way back when.

ESPN had nothing to do with it.

Wanna blame somebody, blame BC and a swamp full of bad blood.

You are exactly right. The problem started when BC left the Big East for the ACC and Jim Calhoun called them out publicly for it. That had nothing to do w/ESPN.

 

[BroadwayVa]

This is an easy read. UConn must get the ball through the hoop more times than UCLA and have more points consistently for 4 quarters not like the last game. Let's not miss umpteen layups, hand the ball over to the other team with stupid passing, and continually try making 3's when you are missing and just pass the dam ball to the best inside player in women's basketball to make two points every time, Pheesa Collier.

@veryoldog--on the last part we disagree, forgive me. One of the problems with recent games is: Opponents know the ball is going to 2 players KLS/Napheesa and Phee is the first option so she is surrounded. UC tries too often to get passes to Phee because she is a machine but even machines have passes taken or miss a shot once in a while. Use Phee as a decoy and stop the 3's that aren't falling, give the ball to CW and Walker and Danger and make the short jumpers or attack the basket as Phee pulls defenders away. But don't take the not falling 3 without mates under the boards. That's a gift.

 

[Roger G]

UConn's last game was a bad one and they still scored 82 points. I'll take UConn even on a bad day. I'll win that bet over 94% of the time.

 

[connie]

UConn's last game was a bad one and they still scored 82 points. I'll take UConn even on a bad day. I'll win that bet over 94% of the time.

Love your confidence. And the hi-offense output is a persuasive observation. But when I bet (which is rare), it is always against the team I want to win. If I have to suffer defeat, I may as well get paid for it.

 

[hussybulldog]

This is an easy read. UConn must get the ball through the hoop more times than UCLA and have more points consistently for 4 quarters not like the last game. Let's not miss umpteen layups, hand the ball over to the other team with stupid passing, and continually try making 3's when you are missing and just pass the dam ball to the best inside player in women's basketball to make two points every time, Pheesa Collier.

CD cannot dribble into a sea of opponents like she did a few times during the buffalo game.

 

[BleedBlue72]

We must stay out of foul trouble. Buffalo caught up because we were in foul trouble and with no bench we cant play defense. If the refs call the regional games like they did the other nite we could have problems I dont think we loose to UCLA. I expect UCLA to be tired from the trip and the interviews when they get here. When UConn is in big time foul trouble they struggle shooting. They settle to much for outside shots and dont dribble penetrate. Foul trouble puts pressure on them imo. Its tuff to play when your in foul trouble which results in ... defenseless. Much like the FF last season. UConn got in foul trouble and ND went nuts scoring. ND lived at the line and I believe UConn outscored ND from the floor by a bunch.

That’s why recruiting needs to step up. UCONN is always in this situation lack of depth. Going 6 players deep isn’t going to cut it when u go up against teams with multiple players coming of the bench .. making it to the final four will be a struggle .. Notre Dame and Baylor will be the issue and UCONN will have to play the perfect game to win either game if they get there. ND us not the same team w beat back in November. UCLA is athletic and awesome on the boards which we are not. I think we can take Louisville .. but if Oregon State wins there multiple size could be a issue.. now that team has size.

 

[LoTrader]

This UCLA Team would stand little chance of winning vs last year's UCONN Team. This year's UCONN team has 3 players that can be counted on to perform nearly every game. Last year's UCONN team had 5 on the floor that could be counted on to perform at all times. That is the big difference I see, and, having seen UCLA up close (vs OSU), this team is brimming with confidence & can score: The two qualities that Geno recently pointed out are the dangerous teams for this year's UCONN squad. I'm not saying UCONN won't win, I am saying that I think UCONN will be in a 4 quarter battle with UCLA.

 

[HopJim]

This UCLA Team would stand little chance of winning vs last year's UCONN Team. This year's UCONN team has 3 players that can be counted on to perform nearly every game. Last year's UCONN team had 5 on the floor that could be counted on to perform at all times. That is the big difference I see, and, having seen UCLA up close (vs OSU), this team is brimming with confidence & can score: The two qualities that Geno recently pointed out are the dangerous teams for this year's UCONN squad. I'm not saying UCONN won't win, I am saying that I think UCONN will be in a 4 quarter battle with UCLA.

Virtually all past UConn teams had 1-2 shut down defenders. This year we have none. Crystal is quick but can be beaten on drives to the basket. 2019 defense one of worst I remember in many years of watching Huskies. Still think Final 4 is possible but flawed team.

 

[msf22b]

Trying to put all of this in perspective:

The last two years (after the Stewie domination era), no one worried about the regionals
Still, even during that era: a spirited, well-coached Dayton team gave us a scare in Albany...(and was it Texas)? played us tough in Bridgeport until freshman Pheesa came in for a few minutes and blew the game open with her now familiar bag of tricks.

Even Tony C is concerned.

Now: even a team like Buffalo thinks they have a chance...and you can bet your bottom dollar that UCLA is not flying 3000 miles to be a sacrificial lamb.

Mickey Dearstone, the UTenn radio man and (seemingly) the last Holly loyalist describes an upside down world in which parity has arrived by means of massive improvement of lower ranked teams and says or admits nothing nothing about the decline in UTenn's game being a contributing factor. For this, he is ridiculed.

I have regularly noted the higher level of play, throughout the country. better athletes more spread out, better coaching, better team play...in all...a tribute to Geno, Tara, and Muffit among others (but mostly Geno) preaching the fundamentals of team D and O.

But not (completely) unlike (poor, ignorant) Holly, Geno has some own old-fashioned ideas of his own which have come back to bite him...Identify UConn type kids and recruit only them, If the best do not want to come...too bad. There is no plan B. Seemingly, his European trip is an indication that that era is over and he is willing to adjust. It's about time.

Other teams (not only UConn) play with a short bench, but it was sad the other night to see a bunch of worn out kids trying to hold a lead knowing that they were it...no reinforcements.
We've seen that story unfold before, not happily.

It is not my style to dump on a player and it is not my intention to do so now...but it must be said that Megan has never (in my eyes) looked like a #1 in the country...even after her best games. There is a certain absence of confidence that permeates her game. I remember a game (last year?) when Geno said she could get every offensive board she wanted...and for a game she did...Where is that player now? And more importantly...is she the rare player who does not profit from the UConn experience.

With all the above woe and lack of optimism, Geno could still pull this off.
The kids slept in their own beds after the game...and Albany is a short, familiar trip before a friendly crowd. Touch could return, D stiffen, the week could be all Katie-Lou needs to be
at or near 100%. And the whole UConn feeling could re-emerge; shots falling, steals, disruptions, amazing O sequences.

But for the first time I remember in a regional, there is uncertainty.

 

[WestsideWaltz]

UCLA is staying on the East Coast for the game. I think they might do better to train at home and then fly to the game but this is the decision.

 

[Urshurak]

Not that this is a defining thing, but Massey has UConn with an 81% chance of winning this one. Final predicted score is 81-71.

Rebounds against UCLA and free throw shooting are going to be a problem. Big time, and Geno knows it. This could be U-G-L-Y Friday. I hope I'm wrong, but if UConn rebounds and shoots the same free throw percentage they did against Buffalo, they lose by 12-15. Possibly more. Pheesa can't do it all against this team, certainly not against Louisville and definitely not against Baylor. I'm honestly not very hopeful, but we shall see. Maybe it will all click and UConn will win by 20!

 

[Tonyc]

If I remember correctly when UConn lost to LVille and Baylor we played poorly and late in the game we were still in it. Those games we scheduled when we had been on the road forever and we played poorly. If we play like that against UCLA we win. Im not concerned about UCLA at all. I like UConn winning by double digets. Why I think that way is because UCLA as good as they played against MD they were trailing alot and I think we would blow MD out. Another point Buffalo was a blow out until UConn got into foul trouble and Buffalo could score at will while UConn was defenseless. Barring injuries and alot of foul trouble we're going to the FF. Hey if we're hitting shots UCLA doesnt rebound. We are not MD we are UConn. Another point if UCLA hits the boards and we get the rebound we are off to the races. UCOnn by double digets.

 

[CL82]

I think we can defend the perimeter well enough here. Even enough to absorb a bad shooting night.

UCLA should not be a problem.

 

[DeeHusky]

My ONLY concern is the rebounding. Maryland has always been known for rebounding and they were out rebounded by UCLA. I just hope we box out better than the Buffalo game.

 

[Carnac]

They are playing really, really well. They're one of those teams that is peaking in the tournament. Yes, UConn has improved. But UCLA is not just a fourth-ranked also-ran. They're one of five Pac 12 teams in the Sweet Sixteen, and you don't get there by being an also-ran.

UCLA will be a monumental opponent on Friday night.

Very true!!! The 3rd round is where the tournament really begins. 75% of the original field has been eliminated. Most of your "at large" teams are gone. EVERYONE will be a monumental opponent this weekend. For the top seeds, the first weekend is simply a warm-up, a dress rehearsal if you will. This weekend, the rubber meets the road. If you're a top seed, THIS is the weekend your dreams can die, and you get sent home.

 

[Carnac]

My ONLY concern is the rebounding. Maryland has always been known for rebounding and they were out rebounded by UCLA. I just hope we box out better than the Buffalo game.

Former Laker head coach Pat Riley once said: "No rebounds, no rings." That thought is as current now as it was 30 years ago when he said it. UConn must win the battle of the boards Friday.