UConn is for real | The Boneyard

UConn is for real

Tonyc

Tonyc

Optimus Prime
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
6,140
Reaction Score
43,152
Get ready America. UConn is young, with no seniors. Paige is NPOY and NFOY and you know what. UConn has a player comin in next season who is suppose to be better then Paige and thats Azzi Fudd. If thats true UConn may no loose another game for 4-5 years. I mentioned in another thread UConn is peaking. The defense is suffocating and the last 3 teams theyve played in the BE tourney had problems scoring 40 pts. The is Real Folks.

This tournament was a massacre. Opponents that were good didnt have a chance. They were hit hard and the hitting never let up. A surprise attack. UConn is playing at a level that no other team in WCBB can match.

Paige is NPOY and NFOY. If you dont think so take Paige off UConn and where are they???? Even better put Paige on any of the top 10 teams and tell me they wont be a top 4 team in WCBB and for the top 5 teams they could be number 1. She does so much more then any other player in America its mind boggleing. This team has energy, intensity, confidence, a winning attitude and guts. Summerthing Suffocating defense and relentlessness. If they get any better then they are now and they will next year, but for the NCAA tourney if they get any better "turn out the lights".
 
.-.
Tonyc said:
Get ready America. UConn is young, with no seniors. Paige is NPOY and NFOY and you know what. UConn has a player comin in next season who is suppose to be better then Paige and thats Azzi Fudd. If thats true UConn may no loose another game for 4-5 years. I mentioned in another thread UConn is peaking. The defense is suffocating and the last 3 teams theyve played in the BE tourney had problems scoring 40 pts. The is Real Folks.

This tournament was a massacre. Opponents that were good didnt have a chance. They were hit hard and the hitting never let up. A surprise attack. UConn is playing at a level that no other team in WCBB can match.

Paige is NPOY and NFOY. If you dont think so take Paige off UConn and where are they???? Even better put Paige on any of the top 10 teams and tell me they wont be a top 4 team in WCBB and for the top 5 teams they could be number 1. She does so much more then any other player in America its mind boggleing. This team has energy, intensity, confidence, a winning attitude and guts. Summerthing Suffocating defense and relentlessness. If they get any better then they are now and they will next year, but for the NCAA tourney if they get any better "turn out the lights".
Expand ...
Keep in mind UConn is relatively untested. We are 2-1 against quality non-conference teams. The truth is we have no idea how really good the team is.
 
The team struggled against Marquette on Monday, March 1, but after having a couple of days to rest and recuperate, the Huskies played three respectable opponents in the tournament and the team is NCAA ready. The squad looked extremely good and well deserving of a no. 1 seed.

We saw good things over the course of three days. At the end of the first quarter, I thought that Christyn Williams deserved the MVP honor, but she missed shots thereafter, although playing excellent defense against Salena Lott. Who else, therefore, but the incomparable Paige Bueckers for MVP despite 6 turnovers. Olivia Nelson-Odoba had a good tournament, but was this a reflection of improvement or a size advantage? Nika Mühl hasn’t gotten a lot of love from the Boneyard until she got hurt on Friday. She has been a favorite of mine all season and to say the least she has grit. It will be hard to remove her from the starting lineup next season. Geno loves her for her aggressiveness and toughness. It was good to see Anna Makurat back on the court again. She didn’t do that much, but that is ok, she now has close to two weeks to get back into playing shape, will be part of an eight player rotation for the tournament, and can give breaks to Williams and Westbrook.

We now await a week to find out the brackets. I expect that Stanford may all get the top seed in the tournament based upon the reputation of the PAC. They are a real good team with depth. The two other teams that most concern me are Baylor and South Carolina. The Huskies may draw Baylor in its bracket. Haven’t seen Texas A & M enough to evaluate them, but UConn wouldn’t have to face that team until the FF.

It will be interesting to see how the NCAA committee puts the brackets together. If it wants good matchups that will play well on TV, then it should consider having South Carolina be in the same bracket as Texas so the two best centers in college might play each other and it would be great game to watch. Likewise in the UConn bracket, why not have UConn be on track to play both Iowa and Louisville and thus the three best freshmen guards in the country would have the opportunity to play one another. In addition, it would be interesting to see the Huskies play either Tennessee or Arkansas in the Sweet Sixteen. I’m sure that there are a number of other intriguing matchups that could be scheduled providing the cards fall in the right direction.








It will be interesting to see how the NCAA committee puts the brackets together. If it wants good matchups that will play well on TV, then it should consider having South Carolina be in the same bracket as Texas so the two best centers in college might play each other and it would be great game to watch. Likewise in the UConn bracket, why not have UConn be on track to play both Iowa and Louisville and thus the three best freshmen guards in the country would have the opportunity to play one another. In addition, it would be interesting to see the Huskies play either Tennessee or Arkansas in the Sweet Sixteen. I’m sure that there are a number of other intriguing matchups that could be scheduled providing the cards fall in the right direction.
 
.-.
I’m a long time UCONN fan and I don’t see what most are seeing. I watched quite a lot of the SEC this season and some of the PAC 12 and, of course, all the UCONN games. There is a big difference at the top end of these conferences. So, here’s my take. UCONN will play Big East caliber teams in the first 2 rounds and sleepwalk to the Elite Eight. But, if they play like they did against St John’s and last night, they go no further. Mistakes, turnovers and stretches of lack of focus like we saw after the first quarter last night don’t matter in the BIG East because UCONN wins by 30 anyway against this level of competition. But, it will end their season sooner than we hope if it continues. The other top teams play hard 4 quarters to earn their seed. That will help them in the tourney. UCONN plays a half...no pressure, no paying for the mistakes. This will hurt them.

I’m glad to see CW step up her game. She will be a critical part of winning close games. EW too. As good as the freshmen are, we can’t just rely on them in pressure situations that they have never experienced.
 
Tonyc said:
Get ready America. UConn is young, with no seniors. Paige is NPOY and NFOY and you know what. UConn has a player comin in next season who is suppose to be better then Paige and thats Azzi Fudd. If thats true UConn may no loose another game for 4-5 years. I mentioned in another thread UConn is peaking. The defense is suffocating and the last 3 teams theyve played in the BE tourney had problems scoring 40 pts. The is Real Folks.
Expand ...
As a new follower of UConn, so may I ask where are our seniors? I suppose there is incoming players for every year.
 
Childhood said:
As a new follower of UConn, so may I ask where are our seniors? I suppose there is incoming players for every year.
Expand ...
There was an incoming class of four. Three transferred, and the last, Megan Walker, entered the WNBA draft after her junior year.
 
Bigboote said:
There was an incoming class of four. Three transferred, and the last, Megan Walker, entered the WNBA draft after her junior year.
Expand ...
I see. Those three may lose a chance to get NC.
 
Azzi may have at one point been the better player, and may one day be that player. But it’s hard to make those assumptions when she is coming off a major injury and has never played college basketball. If she can perform similarly to KML as a freshman, Uconn could run the table next year. Assuming she also lives up to the hype, uconn will have a stellar backcourt. And guards are usually the key to a championship run.
 
Tonyc said:
UConn has a player comin in next season who is suppose to be better then Paige and thats Azzi Fudd.
Expand ...
I would say a qualifying "no" to this statement. To me they are complimentary players, Azzi being a tremendous outside shooter with a powerful move to the basket. Paige is wondrous of course with her entire game, her passing and body control seems second to none. Plus they both have that unselfish winning attitude, a trait which makes them contagious to coaches and fellow players alike. With Nika in the mix, it may very well be a basket of riches we many never see again.
 
.-.
Scud49 said:
I would say a qualifying "no" to this statement. To me they are complimentary players, Azzi being a tremendous outside shooter with a powerful move to the basket. Paige is wondrous of course with her entire game, her passing and body control seems second to none. Plus they both have that unselfish winning attitude, a trait which makes them contagious to coaches and fellow players alike. With Nika in the mix, it may very well be a basket of riches we many never see again.
Expand ...
I agree. Fudd will be an outstanding college player. But Bueckers has one advantage that Fudd will not overcome nor need to. Her almost preternatural ability to see the game one play before anyone else and move her offensive teammates around like chess pieces. Nobody in the college game does it like she does. And maybe only one pro, S. Bird.
 
BobbyJ said:
I agree. Fudd will be an outstanding college player. But Bueckers has one advantage that Fudd will not overcome nor need to. Her almost preternatural ability to see the game one play before anyone else and move her offensive teammates around like chess pieces. Nobody in the college game does it like she does. And maybe only one pro, S. Bird.
Expand ...

I don't agree with the tone of this at all. Not saying she is going to be better than Paige or whatever but to suggest that "we know" she won't I think just being a bit scared.-- Just like with Paige - she was underrated on here - let's not do the same with Azzi. For example what I see - it seems to me Azzi is also a terrific passer. I think sometimes as husky fans - we don't want to appear too arrogant so we bend over backwards to be cautious. UCONN fans are awesome we're a big-time hoop sate but for example this year at this moment we're number 1 in the country and yet it seems many on here for the last few weeks keep trying to pick apart the number 1 team with the best coach in wcbb history.

As for Azzi- let's celebrate that she is going to be a beast with an outlook that she could potentially be "more." Look at the vid below at the 3:23 mark. Azzi is going against a nationally rated, athletic h/s team. They double her 25+ feet from the basket. She changes pace on her dribble and creates separation from the 2 only to meet up with a 3rd player and a 4th about to come over and help at around the 3:26 mark. That's four players - from a nationally ranked team looking to bottle her up.
The 3rd player, a taller player, Azzi jukes her at the 3:26 mark and here comes the 4th player - another taller player - comes up to challenge her. And at 3:27/3:28 she calmly pulls up to knock down a mid-range jumper.

She took 8 dribbles from one side of the court to the other and beat 3-4 players on a nationally rated team with a smooth mid-range jumper.

She ends up scoring 20 of her team's 38 points in which they won.
Let's not be shy about this.






26​
 
Last edited:
Watching the video, there no denying that 's got game!!!! Much like PB, GREAT passer and shooter!! Another phenom!!!
 
@Tonyc -

If not mistaken, UConn is on 14 game win streak. If UConn wins NC, streak would be 20. Fudd, Ducharme, and DeBerry arrive next season. Do you have one of your optimist predictions for UConn's next big win streak?

We're doomed.
;)
 
Being honest, the 2017 and 2018 UConn teams were good enough to win the NC. Some things just didn't go their way in the games that were in the FF. The 19 and 20 versions were both excellent but had some weaknesses that stood out when playing some other top teams.

This team seems to possess what the last four teams were lacking. 17 and 18 were hampered by a lack of depth. 19 and 20 could never seem to get all their weapons going in the same game. PB is better than any player on those teams (apologies to Williams, Collier, KLS, Nurse and Danger). She's the engine that makes the team go. Plus this team has depth that was sorely lacking and Westbrook has proven to be a wonderful glue player.

The Huskies will be tough to beat.
 
.-.
Main point: I think will be great and will help us to more than one NC. I can't wait for her to get here!

Minor point: For those of you , including M. Culmo, who have been critical of Nika's on-ball defense, particularly being able to prevent her mark from driving by her, see at the 4:08 mark of the video. It does seem to me that Azzi might not be fully recovered from her injury, but I don't think GA will pull the "she couldn't guard a chair" comment out when discussing next year.
 
Childhood said:
As a new follower of UConn, so may I ask where are our seniors? I suppose there is incoming players for every year.
Expand ...
Megan Walker was age eligible for WNBA and did not return for her UConn senior season.
 
Watching clips, I think she’ll actually have an easier time scoring in college/freshman year. She’s spent a lot of her HS career so far being face guarded and the focus of the other teams defense. And even with that she still erupts to score 20+ points. At UCONN she’ll be surrounded by great players which will make it easier for her to get open looks. She also has an advantage her freshman year that PB doesn’t... gets to play with the #1 point guard in the nation.
 
LoboDays said:
I’m a long time UCONN fan and I don’t see what most are seeing. I watched quite a lot of the SEC this season and some of the PAC 12 and, of course, all the UCONN games. There is a big difference at the top end of these conferences. So, here’s my take. UCONN will play Big East caliber teams in the first 2 rounds and sleepwalk to the Elite Eight. But, if they play like they did against St John’s and last night, they go no further. Mistakes, turnovers and stretches of lack of focus like we saw after the first quarter last night don’t matter in the BIG East because UCONN wins by 30 anyway against this level of competition. But, it will end their season sooner than we hope if it continues. The other top teams play hard 4 quarters to earn their seed. That will help them in the tourney. UCONN plays a half...no pressure, no paying for the mistakes. This will hurt them.
Expand ...
Disagree 100%. I don't think you are giving this team the credit they deserve, especially defensively. Offensively, Maryland is the only team IMO that has really been consistent on that side of the ball, but their defense isn't as strong.

UCONN is on par with the top teams - there is no dominant team this year. The same things you are saying are applicable to literally any team this year. There are 3 Big East teams other than UCONN in the Top 64 of Massey - Villanova, Seton Hall, and Marquette. Giving up an average of 40 points in the BET is incredible and they didn't even do that in the American, which had an even lower level of competition. Stanford lost to an unranked Colorado team, giving up 77 points. Now they are playing much better now, but so is UCONN. There are examples like this with all the top teams. It's not a normal year. Geno has always said that the Elite 8 game is the hardest one, so I think anyone would expect that to be a challenge, regardless.
 
Tonyc said:
Get ready America. UConn is young, with no seniors. Paige is NPOY and NFOY and you know what. UConn has a player comin in next season who is suppose to be better then Paige and thats Azzi Fudd. If thats true UConn may no loose another game for 4-5 years. I mentioned in another thread UConn is peaking. The defense is suffocating and the last 3 teams theyve played in the BE tourney had problems scoring 40 pts. The is Real Folks.

This tournament was a massacre. Opponents that were good didnt have a chance. They were hit hard and the hitting never let up. A surprise attack. UConn is playing at a level that no other team in WCBB can match.

Paige is NPOY and NFOY. If you dont think so take Paige off UConn and where are they???? Even better put Paige on any of the top 10 teams and tell me they wont be a top 4 team in WCBB and for the top 5 teams they could be number 1. She does so much more then any other player in America its mind boggleing. This team has energy, intensity, confidence, a winning attitude and guts. Summerthing Suffocating defense and relentlessness. If they get any better then they are now and they will next year, but for the NCAA tourney if they get any better "turn out the lights".
Expand ...
Everything you say is true. However, I would caution as follows; UCONN can get into trouble against a team with "equal" talent and more experience. A freshman laden team can falter when the pressure is most intense. It is simply a reality. So South Carolina is a worry, in particular. Also, AZZI Fudd cannot be what she was once forecast to be. Her knee surgery was simply too complex. I absolutely hope I am 100% wrong. Who wouldn't want to see her at her peak skill set? I have said this before; Caroline Doty, at her peak, was regarded as a "break through basketball talent" for the women game., when she graduated high school. Injuries set her back to the point where we were thrilled to see her on the court, looking like a competent player who still enjoyed the game. She earned everyones respect, to this day. But she was never at UCONN what she might have been. And I think we must adjust our expectations for AZZI, as well.
 
.-.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
168,498
Messages
4,578,852
Members
10,489
Latest member
Djw06001


Top Bottom