UConn - Butler Post Game Thread

[oldude]

No, it isn't an easy shot at all but her squared up, vertical position, and her classic and throwback release in the middle of her head and face, plus her fingertip spin, makes it look easy. If she were not starting, this development would probably have been delayed or been protracted. She has become the third scorer we needed. I exclude Aubrey from this description because you can't put her in anything but her own category. Impacting the game as a floor player is a lost art, something Aubrey's father turned into a pro career.

You mention one other “unconventional” element of Ashlynn’s shot that further aligns her shot squarely with the basket, and that’s, “the throwback release in the middle of her head and face.” When I first saw that unusual release, with her arms held like an isosceles triangle in front of her face, I thought she’d never be a really good shooter at the college level, since almost every other player you see shoots the ball slightly off center towards their shooting hand. But that unusual and seemingly awkward release certainly works for Ashlynn.

 

[Boreifs]

It has been mentioned here, but it bears emphasizing, what a great mid-range game Ashlyn has. So far this season she has taken 28 shots inside the arc, very few of them layups. She has made 21 of them, for a 75% average!

To be brutally honest, her mid range game is better than either Azzi or Carol. By the end of the season, this team could really be dangerous. Geno said as much during the postgame last night. Having an energy bunny and a three-point specialist coming off the bench is really crucial to the team’s long term success. Let’s hope that by the end of the season Ice is a quality sub at the five.

 

[oldude]

To be brutally honest, her mid range game is better than either Azzi or Carol. By the end of the season, this team could really be dangerous. Geno said as much during the postgame last night. Having an energy bunny and a three-point specialist coming off the bench is really crucial to the team’s long term success. Let’s hope that by the end of the season Ice is a quality sub at the five.

Not sure that I agree that Ashlynn’s midrange game is better than Azzi’s, yet. But the fact that they are close is a godsend to the Huskies after losing Azzi for the season.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Not sure that I agree that Ashlynn’s midrange game is better than Azzi’s, yet. But the fact that they are close is a godsend to the Huskies after losing Azzi for the season.

I'd say Shade's all around game (offense and Defense combined) is slightly better than Azzi's right now. Due to injuries, Azzi can't move as well as she once could.

 

[RoadMaster]

Swipe Left..

 

[RoadMaster]

 

[Ozimoto]

I'm not sure how Nika's fingers bend like that...

 

[dtbtbtb]

it will be interesting during the season to see what teams would try to do to diminish the effectiveness of Ashlynn. I think the scouting report on UConn was pretty simple: attach a player to Paige and be physical with her. Don't give her any type of open looks (close fast on her) With AE, crowd the lane and whenever she gets the ball double team her. Allow her the mid-range shot. For Aubrey, guard against the drive, let her shoot from outside. KK is to guard against the drive and let her shoot from outside. Ashlyn is more complicated because she moves all the time and is dangerous from mid-range and from the 3.

 

[RedStickHusky]

One of the worst? That's a compliment for her. How about that call on KK?

When she hit that girl in the shoulder with her chest? I was waiting for flagrant upgrade review...

 

[Boreifs]

Not sure that I agree that Ashlynn’s midrange game is better than Azzi’s, yet. But the fact that they are close is a godsend to the Huskies after losing Azzi for the season.

I just went by the stats. In her short career so far, her two-point percentage is much higher.

 

[ctkaiser]

We are lucky if UConn gets any fouls called when the Dee is officiating, I believe that she is one of the worst refs in basketball.

They were a crew that was very good at calling every touch foul and totally blew at least 2 or 3 calls.

 

[ctkaiser]

When a team clogs the paint on defense like Butler did, the largest facet of KK’s game is taken away. Perhaps Quadance needs more time and KK less when that happens. Having said that, though, KK was a better matchup defensively.

KK is still learning that attempting to drive through the clogged paint is not a great move at the D1 college level. She'll get there.

 

[ctchamps]

Aubrey?

Excellent defender. Not sure she can stop quick guards who do most of the ball handling.

 

[FanFromMaine]

Not to rain on our parade, but I am looking forward to how Butler does against the rest of the BE. I think that they will surprise some teams.
Another game where I was freaking out because it seemed like we weren't going to get separation in the score even though it seemed we were playing very good. Luckily for my heart, it did happen.
Loved the starting lineup's game, Aubrey being Aubrey again and the contributions by Ice and Q.
Another game that I am looking forward to watching again tomorrow courtesy of @MJL243 's replay.

I agree about Butler surprisingly others. Let’s see…

 

[pvdoggy]

Not sure that I agree that Ashlynn’s midrange game is better than Azzi’s, yet. But the fact that they are close is a godsend to the Huskies after losing Azzi for the season.

I really like her game but no way that Ashlynn's midrange game is better than Azzi's. Until Ashlynn is being targeted and harassed by the other team's defense as a primary scorer and still delivers her current production, give me a healthy Azzi any day of the week.

 

[BBallF]

You mention one other “unconventional” element of Ashlynn’s shot that further aligns her shot squarely with the basket, and that’s, “the throwback release in the middle of her head and face.” When I first saw that unusual release, with her arms held like an isosceles triangle in front of her face, I thought she’d never be a really good shooter at the college level, since almost every other player you see shoots the ball slightly off center towards their shooting hand. But that unusual and seemingly awkward release certainly works for Ashlynn.

Absolutely. If you think about it, with a perfectly squared up body which is vertical, that release in the center of her face and body means that the ball is going straight without any other compensation needed. There is even less chance of error in her 15' pull up since the ball has less distance to go with less height needed.

I think we will be seeing a lot more of that shot, a shot which, when you develop the right fake and dribble moves, means you can get it off almost whenever you want to or need to. In the NC State game in 2022, Paige almost exclusively used that pull up J in the last minutes of regulation and in overtime in an iconic performance. Everyone knew it was coming buy no one could stop it. We have a real player with a great future on her hands in Ash.

 

[PacoSwede]

I really like her game but no way that Ashlynn's midrange game is better than Azzi's. Until Ashlynn is being targeted and harassed by the other team's defense as a primary scorer and still delivers her current production, give me a healthy Azzi any day of the week.

but has azzi ever been healthy as a husky?

sadly, i think not.

 

[donalddoowop]

Last year's team didn't have Paige Bueckers, KK Arnold or Ashlynn Shade handling the basketball.

Ines only played because of need. Go look to see who was available the games she played decent minutes.

I don't think she played particularly well, either. Exceeded expectations? Maybe? But she's basically a walk-on.

No. CD played Ines and she did well. As soon as Geno returned, she got very little playing time. If she can't get playing time when the team is up by 28 with four minutes to play, why is she on the team? When UConn needed a backup guard she gave up a chance to go to a school where she would probably get a chance to start. If she is playing well in practice, why not give her more minutes than she is getting in blowout games, at least five minutes?

They were a crew that was very good at calling every touch foul and totally blew at least 2 or 3 calls.

If all they blew was 2 or 3 calls, then they called a really good game. Think of how many calls were made. It was probably more than two or three. Kantner can't call a game with only 2 or 3 bad calls.

 

[HuskyNan]

I really like her game but no way that Ashlynn's midrange game is better than Azzi's. Until Ashlynn is being targeted and harassed by the other team's defense as a primary scorer and still delivers her current production, give me a healthy Azzi any day of the week.

Ashlynn is not only willing to shoot, she appears to want to shoot. Geno usually needs to remind Azzi to shoot. It’s no good having a better midrange game unless you use it.

 

[Viet Vet]

No. CD played Ines and she did well. As soon as Geno returned, she got very little playing time. If she can't get playing time when the team is up by 28 with four minutes to play, why is she on the team? When UConn needed a backup guard she gave up a chance to go to a school where she would probably get a chance to start. If she is playing well in practice, why not give her more minutes than she is getting in blowout games, at least five minutes?

If all they blew was 2 or 3 calls, then they called a really good game. Think of how many calls were made. It was probably more than two or three. Kantner can't call a game with only 2 or 3 bad calls.

Dee Kantner calls a game the way it's meant to be called, according to the rules. Not the way some want it called, a la NBA entertainment.

 

[Boreifs]

Ashlynn is not only willing to shoot, she appears to want to shoot. Geno usually needs to remind Azzi to shoot. It’s no good having a better midrange game unless you use it.

Post of the month.

 

[Conndog]

Excellent defender. Not sure she can stop quick guards who do most of the ball handling.

Aubrey is the best defender on the team.

 

[donalddoowop]

Dee Kantner calls a game the way it's meant to be called, according to the rules. Not the way some want it called, a la NBA entertainment.

Not always true. I have watched her closely. Being a former basketball official I know what to watch for. I have seen her completely ignore fouls right in front her where she should have been watching.

 

[BBallF]

Not always true. I have watched her closely. Being a former basketball official I know what to watch for. I have seen her completely ignore fouls right in front her where she should have been watching.

Exactly. Or make the wrong call like on the KK block foul where the replay showed that the Butler player clearly lowered and pushed into her with her shoulder knocking her down.

 

[Boreifs]

I'd say Shade's all around game (offense and Defense combined) is slightly better than Azzi's right now. Due to injuries, Azzi can't move as well as she once could.

Agreed. She is faster, more athletic, more aggressive, much better on defense and a more reliable shooter. Azzi is unstoppable when she is in a zone, but that zone was seldom there. Stats don’t lie; hype never wins games.