Just a few observations.
Early on within the first few possessions I noted that if UConn makes its bunnies that the game would be a blow out. How did I note this? First, because of the size discrepancy and second because of UConn's activity and pace in the offensive end, which was miles beyond what it was against Marquette. UConn easily beat this team with only one real threat from the perimeter.
Why does Ayanna continue to have trouble in the lane? I feel like a broken record, because it's so obvious to see. Once in the lane she only has two moves: the put back and the fake. She fakes because of the length she's been facing and the number of times she either had the ball stuffed or called a held ball. Her only success in the mid range has come from the short jumper on the right side. That's it y'all. Now yeah, she has incredible athleticism, she's clearly been closely watching AE and Dorka and she'll learn, but learning a proper drop step takes time. Again, Liv had a right leg drop step when she came to UConn, but learning to drop that left leg was hard for her. She didn't even attempt to go over her left shoulder until her late sophomore year, and even in her senior year she was inefficient going left. Don't expect a decent double move from Ayanna until next year at the earliest.
UConn really missed AG's speed in transition and secondary transition while she was gone. A lot. Her pressure on the perimeter and her recovery speed also allows other players to overplay the passing lanes, and for the first time this year UConn had as many steals as TO's. UConn had been out rebounding opponents but were having trouble getting a transition game off of them. That is why I've been complaining about UConn's inability this year to get TO's. This game showed what steals do for a team that has fast wings and forwards with good speed. It allows more opportunities for primary and secondary transition and easy baskets. Now I do have a complaint, and it's one I've had since the Iowa game. AG has a problem getting caught up inside and failing to cover the perimeter, leaving players for open 3's. She did that 3 times tonight and each time the player scored. That needs to be cleaned up.
The best thing today for Lou was not her points, but her TO's. She only had one. Since Azzi left the court her TO rate increased significantly as her ball handling responsibilities on the perimeter increased. When Azzi returns that rate will decrease as Azzi takes over more ball handling duties on the perimeter. It will also force defenders off their tight coverage of Nika at the arc and on inbounds. Nika has responded somewhat to this tight coverage by driving more and even the occasional pull up, but Azzi will help free that up further.
As I also said however after Azzi was injured, from the Butler game on she will be day to day.
Okay, on to the next.
