UConn - Butler post game

[ucmiami2]

Well, in case anyone wondered what this team would look like if we lost Sarah, here you go. We won, at Butler, by 47. At home, you are talking 50 points. A 32 point win means the loss of Blanca and Sarah is 18 points. And the games without Blanca showed that she is about 2-3 points above those who replaced her. So, Sarah alone, accounts for 15 points on our MOV. That is HUGE!!! The end of our bench, in particular, was pretty mediocre in Q4. They lost to a bad Butler team. Against a good team, we are only 8 deep. Maybe we can go 9 if we get desperate where Serah and Sarah both get into foul trouble.

Uconn led by 25 at half 44-19, and came out in Q3 with an 8-0 run that morphed into 13-2 run in the first 4:09 for a 36 point lead - then Geno called of the dogs, sat Azzi, and played around with line-ups and lost the final 15+ minutes 23-27.

In game 1 at Butler Uconn led by 32 at the half 54-22 and came out in the 3rd Q with a 13-1 run in the first 5:24 for a 44 point lead - the dogs were already reeled in by then and they cruised from their winning th3 last 14+ minutes 27-24.

So the real difference was that 36 to 44 point lead in the middle of Q3 - 8 points. And when Geno called off the dogs, he didn't have Blanca as part of the mix and match - so there was an additional 7 point swing. And let's not forget that Butler had already been exposed to Uconn so at least was better prepared for the defensive intensity and what Uconn ran on offense.

Uconn was trying to replace 41 minute and 27 points of 12-20 60% shooting, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 6 steals from game 1. When the game was being decided, they came up 8 points short - I am not bothered about it.

 

[ucmiami2]

One last observation: KK hit two pull-up jumpers. This is a huge development. She's been trying them over the last couple games, and now they're falling. Nika never managed to develop this shot and it was a significant gap in her offensive skills. I have a feeling she's taking her cue from Azzi Ash and Kayleigh, all of whom can use it to deadly effect.

Noticed that as well - 3-3 in two games and all swishes in that 15-17' range.

 

[Woof]

One last observation: KK hit two pull-up jumpers. This is a huge development. She's been trying them over the last couple games, and now they're falling. Nika never managed to develop this shot and it was a significant gap in her offensive skills. I have a feeling she's taking her cue from Azzi Ash and Kayleigh, all of whom can use it to deadly effect.

I did take note of this also. She scored at all 3 levels!!! If she continues to do this, damn, it will be hard not to call her the best PG in the country. We could have three first team AAs.

 

[Dogdude]

So Kellis is indeed an amazing athlete, but I'm confused as to her potential role down the road. Is she to be a point guard or a scoring guard?

 

[Skeets]

Well, in case anyone wondered what this team would look like if we lost Sarah, here you go. We won, at Butler, by 47. At home, you are talking 50 points. A 32 point win means the loss of Blanca and Sarah is 18 points. And the games without Blanca showed that she is about 2-3 points above those who replaced her. So, Sarah alone, accounts for 15 points on our MOV. That is HUGE!!! The end of our bench, in particular, was pretty mediocre in Q4. They lost to a bad Butler team. Against a good team, we are only 8 deep. Maybe we can go 9 if we get desperate where Serah and Sarah both get into foul trouble.

I don't buy that type of analysis. Every game is different. That's why they insist the games actually get played.

 

[HopJim]

Kelis goes to the hoop often and with zippo fear. Sometimes the shot itself is contested....sometimes not...but it's pretty certain to be taken.

Her outside game? No shooting technique expert here but her form looks good to me. I'm not sure but I don't think I have ever seen one actually go in. I find myself in a huge snit when she misses...I very...VERY...much want to see her swish one. Go Kelis!

I am hoping to see next year Kelis in the regular rotation as a point....behind KK and K9. We know that several other players...notably Sarah ...can do point guard things...but I anticipate significant rotation minutes off the bench for Kelis.
With Azzie leaving I am hopeful that guard Jovana can focus on her shooting when she is in the game....though if she passes to Kelis and Kelils swishes it I'' be OK with that too.

Just checked the season stats: If I am reading them correctly...Kelis has played in 21 games....taken 7 treys...and has hit....well...zero. Go Kelis !

Would love to see Kelis demonstrate some offensive skills beyond the exceptionally fast drive. In a meaningful game, teams will game plan for it, particularly since this appears to be her primary weapon.

 

[HopJim]

Tough to draw any conclusions when playing a team like Butler, but...
-As mentioned, KK is unafraid to shot from outside and making her fair share. In a tight game, this could be critical.
-Patterson seems more relaxed. Not the foul machine while on defense that she was her first year and is powering up her layups without being blocked.
-Would love to see Allie show off her mid range game. She spends alot of time standing in the corners waiting for her (deadly) 3 point shot. That being said, suspect her 10-12 footer, similar to Azzi, would be tough to guard now that she has defenders backing off her drives.
-While Jana got alot of rebounds yesterday, she has a tendancy to lock onto one spot and not move towards the ball as it comes off the rim. Compare that to players like Sarah who are good rebounders by both boxing out and moving to the ball. Phyiscal players like Miller yesterday were able to move Jana off her spot since she is often flat footed hoping the ball bounced her way.
-Speaking of Miller, suspect if this was a men's game, she would have had a few pops taken at her. Particularly against Jana, her pushing went beyound what most refs would allow.

 

[OldSchooler]

One last observation: KK hit two pull-up jumpers. This is a huge development. She's been trying them over the last couple games, and now they're falling. Nika never managed to develop this shot and it was a significant gap in her offensive skills. I have a feeling she's taking her cue from Azzi Ash and Kayleigh, all of whom can use it to deadly effect.

This has definitely added a dimension to her offensive game, along with her recent accuracy from long range. It will make her even more effective in ballhandling and assists.

 

[Longtime fan]

Jana with 11 rebounds!!!

Jana still has a long ways to go before she is smooth with the ball under the basket. Once in a while, she does get it right. But she misses so many opportunities. But she is tough and rebounds decently ( not always great position, but size and strength ). Glad we have her. But I am still waiting for the next level for her.

 

[freshler40]

So Kellis is indeed an amazing athlete, but I'm confused as to her potential role down the road. Is she to be a point guard or a scoring guard?

Some of each. We are moving toward positionless basketball.

 

[Doctor G]

That was difficult to watch. She had many opportunities to shoot the ball from the top of the key, but held it looking to pass which really slowed the offense. Not sure if this was by design, but it let Butler play 5 on 4.

Jana has to take that shot but she wasn’t confident yesterday.

 

[Centerstream]

Jana has to take that shot but she wasn’t confident yesterday.

It appears to me that the coaching staff doesn't want our bigs (Serah and Jana) to shoot from the top of the key. It may be a coincidence but against Butler, Serah was 3 for 3 from inside, then missed from the top of the key. She was subbed out shortly after the miss.

 

[Dogdude]

Some of each. We are moving toward positionless basketball.

I get that, I'm just not seeing much of a balance.