UConn has the Intangibles

[Surly1]

Early on, UConn stumbled against ND and USC. The team was still figuring itself out, waiting for all of its pieces to assemble. The UT loss was the an inflection point. It appeared to shake the team & the win against SC awakened the team of their potential. Since that game, UConn is on an upward trend.

When UConn won their first title in 1995, Tennessee was the standard bearer of WCBB. It wasn't until the early 2000's when UConn went from hunter to the hunted. Similarly, after the last of UConn's titles in 2016, SC became the usurper & assumed the mantle of the hunted.

Entering todays's game, SC is the defending champion, and UConn is relishing its role as the hunter. They are the hungrier team. Like a cruise ship, it took awhile to pick up steam, but they are running at full throttle. If you ask a diehard Gamecock's fan, if they are honest, they would admit that SC hasn't played with the same sense of urgency as last year. They are immensely talented, well coached, and have the motivation to repeat as champs. However, UConn is on a mission, and unlike in years's past, they believe and are determined. For the past few seasons, UConn was a threat, but had holes preventing them from being serious challengers. SC might be able to turn up their game and win, but UConn is not like offensively challenged teams like Texas, Duke, MD & Indiana.

SC plays tight defense, but UConn was like the Borg (Star Trek reference) against UCLA, moving like a collective amoeba. I don't see that regressing today. SC will have to generate more offensively than UConn to win. Of course SC is capable, but I don't see them outdoing UConn's big three.

 

[Bigboote]

Against UConn UCLA definitely looked like they were facing Mike Tyson — the old “Everybody has a plan till they get punched in the mouth.”

South Carolina has already been through that, and it won’t happen again. To use another sports quote, this one from Ty Cobb, let’s hope UConn does a Walter Johnson — “Even though you know what’s coming (a fastball) it doesn’t do any good.”

 

[CL82]

Early on, UConn stumbled against ND and USC. The team was still figuring itself out, waiting for all of its pieces to assemble. The UT loss was the an inflection point. It appeared to shake the team & the win against SC awakened the team of their potential. Since that game, UConn is on an upward trend.

When UConn won their first title in 1995, Tennessee was the standard bearer of WCBB. It wasn't until the early 2000's when UConn went from hunter to the hunted. Similarly, after the last of UConn's titles in 2016, SC became the usurper & assumed the mantle of the hunted.

Entering todays's game, SC is the defending champion, and UConn is relishing its role as the hunter. They are the hungrier team. Like a cruise ship, it took awhile to pick up steam, but they are running at full throttle. If you ask a diehard Gamecock's fan, if they are honest, they would admit that SC hasn't played with the same sense of urgency as last year. They are immensely talented, well coached, and have the motivation to repeat as champs. However, UConn is on a mission, and unlike in years's past, they believe and are determined. For the past few seasons, UConn was a threat, but had holes preventing them from being serious challengers. SC might be able to turn up their game and win, but UConn is not like offensively challenged teams like Texas, Duke, MD & Indiana.

SC plays tight defense, but UConn was like the Borg (Star Trek reference) against UCLA, moving like a collective amoeba. I don't see that regressing today. SC will have to generate more offensively than UConn to win. Of course SC is capable, but I don't see them outdoing UConn's big three.

Sigh... what is the matter with you people?!

 

[BRS24]

We're doooooooooommmmmmmed.

(obligatory game day post)

 

[Sifaka]

— “Even though you know what’s coming (a fastball) it doesn’t do any good.”

Chin music.

 

[Sifaka]

Geno clears the bench.

 

[Next 12]

SC knows what's coming and they HAVE TO BE THINKING ABOUT IT and that's Uconn's BIG edge to win the game.GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!

 

[Jackcatscal]

Early on, UConn stumbled against ND and USC. The team was still figuring itself out, waiting for all of its pieces to assemble. The UT loss was the an inflection point. It appeared to shake the team & the win against SC awakened the team of their potential. Since that game, UConn is on an upward trend.

When UConn won their first title in 1995, Tennessee was the standard bearer of WCBB. It wasn't until the early 2000's when UConn went from hunter to the hunted. Similarly, after the last of UConn's titles in 2016, SC became the usurper & assumed the mantle of the hunted.

Entering todays's game, SC is the defending champion, and UConn is relishing its role as the hunter. They are the hungrier team. Like a cruise ship, it took awhile to pick up steam, but they are running at full throttle. If you ask a diehard Gamecock's fan, if they are honest, they would admit that SC hasn't played with the same sense of urgency as last year. They are immensely talented, well coached, and have the motivation to repeat as champs. However, UConn is on a mission, and unlike in years's past, they believe and are determined. For the past few seasons, UConn was a threat, but had holes preventing them from being serious challengers. SC might be able to turn up their game and win, but UConn is not like offensively challenged teams like Texas, Duke, MD & Indiana.

SC plays tight defense, but UConn was like the Borg (Star Trek reference) against UCLA, moving like a collective amoeba. I don't see that regressing today. SC will have to generate more offensively than UConn to win. Of course SC is capable, but I don't see them outdoing UConn's big three.

Excellent analysis. You also win the award for most mixed metaphors in a single post. Huzzah!

 

[maple]

I don’t know why everyone is so nervous about today’s game.

All it takes is for UConn to get off to an ice cold shooting start and then SCar can put us in a hole that makes it difficult to get out of. Or worse, it’s like the TN game where we fumble away a nice halftime lead.

Anything that can go wrong might go wrong.

Duke looked completely in control the whole time against Houston last night — until they didn’t. A bad bounce here, a soft foul there…

 

[Scoe]

All it takes is for UConn to get off to an ice cold shooting start and then SCar can put us in a hole that makes it difficult to get out of. Or worse, it’s like the TN game where we fumble away a nice halftime lead.

Anything that can go wrong might go wrong.

Duke looked completely in control the whole time against Houston last night — until they didn’t. A bad bounce here, a soft foul there…

Dukes inexperience showed even Cooper Flagg, and Houston did tire them out. It shows you also need a bench. Geno im sure is stressing like hell to win every 4 minute segment, now Is that realistic probably not but it’s an expectation. I do believe there is a reason we played till the end against UCLA the way we did, because our entire season is predicated on beating SC for a title. We have everything we need to beat them including Aubrey now not having to play with a minutes restriction. Lets get it done.

 

[jcoton56]

We're doooooooooommmmmmmed.

(obligatory game day post)

Now I feel better

 

[Bone Dog]

Last time UConn took 10 more shots than SC (71-61) and grabbed 19 more rebounds (48-29). That’s not luck or being hot or cold. That’s hard work. I don’t think UConn has forgotten how to work for a win.

 

[YKCornelius]

I think it is hard to rationalize the beatdown that took place in February as simply an "off game" by the Gamecocks. A 29 point win by UConn in front 18,000 Gamecock fans where S.Carolina did not commit a lot of fouls (10 vs 14 by UConn), did not have a lot of turnovers (12 vs 10 by the Huskies), shot about the same number of free throws (9 for 11 vs 12 for 13).

In a nutshell, the Gamecocks' defense was not anywhere near as strong as it usually is (as evidence by UConn's shooting percentages), and their rebounding was way off their norm (29 total as compared to UConn's 48 - including 15 offensive). And most glaring, IMO, is only 7 assists on 23 field goal attempts.

So, while they were clearly not their usual selves, to me that does not satisfactorily explain the gaps between the two teams that day.

So what has changed since then? Did SC simply go back to their normal self? I think the answer is yes - but I don't think that will be good enough. I think them pulling away from Texas was more of Texas having one of "the legs of their table" broken by Booker's foul trouble, and once behind, the Longhorns are not built to catch up. The table collapse despite heroic efforts by Texas role players.

I think the Gamecocks will come out hard and aggressive today. And if two of the following three refs are on the floor (Maj Forsberg, Dee Kantner, Eric Brewton or Katie Lukanich) the game will be a physical game throughout. At the end of the day, if UConn can stay out of foul trouble, UConn should be the champs.

Go Huskies.

 

[Conndog]

UConn has to stay aggressive, pay attention to Pao Pao’s shooting, and get rebounds. They have too many good shooters, and their defense is fantastic and will not disappear. I like how good they are at rebounding, especially Sarah and Jana now. I think Sarah is going to have a huge game today. Watch out for a SC rally in the 3rd quarter, and get the subs in early in 4th quarter.