UCONN - Marquette post game thread (merged thread)

[TeamFirst!]

One of the most impressive parts of Caroline’s game is her defense. She contests a lot of shots. She’s also rebounding well. It seems like she is really helping the team defense though most of all even when her shot isn’t falling.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Sometimes against good teams we really struggle to score. Lou had to work hard for her points but we lacked that 2nd scorer until Caroline stepped up. We are going to keep seeing this but if Caroline and Aubrey can give us 10-15 points we can pull through most games against top teams. They clog the middle and do their best to shut down Lou. We had Caroline today fortunately, who was the real player of the game today. These girls are dog tired though playing a tough opponent with basically 5 players.

I really don’t think this will continue to happen when you had two players who have scored 30 points this season back into the rotation. You’ll have 3 players starting who need to be doubled to stop them from scoring.

 

[Tonyc]

With Azzi and Aubrey coming back games like this we win by alot more. We too will have a longer bench. Those non starters who wouldnt have gotten alot of time now have and are better for it. They will need more time now that we are aware of no home games in a row.

 

[Sicilian]

This could have been an easy game to lose…we didn’t. Remember last year when effort was an every game issue? Not today, not this year at all!

 

[Centerstream]

I gotta disagree, rather vehemently, Eric. This team was exhausted. In the first quarter, on a close up of Lou, she was red faced and gasping for air. I think they were fabulous given the pushing, grabbing defense and short bench.

Gotta agree with you. To me it also seemed that the last couple minutes of each quarter, the players that had played the whole quarter were running on fumes...but they were still running!!! The next three games could see the same thing as there isn't going to be a lot of time to rest. Maybe, just maybe, Azzi will get some minutes and Aubrey will be cleared to go and the games will return to "normal". I liked this game, things were harder than the Creighton game but everyone played their butt off and we earned a hard fought win.

 

[TeamFirst!]

Geno doesn’t play Inez because of turnovers. She will get better in that regard over time. He just can’t afford to take Nika out of the game right now.

 

[donalddoowop]

One of the most impressive parts of Caroline’s game is her defense. She contests a lot of shots. She’s also rebounding well. It seems like she is really helping the team defense though most of all even when her shot isn’t falling.

Don't tell Geno that. Did you hear what he said after the game?

 

[Centerstream]

Yes, Kaizen. However, UConn had Ines on the bench who has shown she can be trusted against teams better than Marquette but for some reason, Geno did not play her. He did not play her against Creighton when they were up by thirty until very late in the game. He should not be complaining about players being tired.

Ines has 7 stitches in her forehead. She would have been in jeopardy playing against this team.

 

[donalddoowop]

Geno doesn’t play Inez because of turnovers. She will get better in that regard over time. He just can’t afford to take Nika out of the game right now.

Does she make any more than some of the starters? If she played more maybe she would make less.

 

[Kat]

Marquette's bench played 34 minutes to UConn's 9. The Huskies shot a better percentage, had more assists, and more rebounds. The starters really answered the call.

 

[TeamFirst!]

Don't tell Geno that. Did you hear what he said after the game?

No I didn’t. I watched on a cellphone.

 

[huskeynut]

I'm not going criticize any one of the UConn players. They were sucking wind most of the game. Marquette constantly banging players didn't help. It's a win against a league foe.

 

[Carnac]

First of all, a great win. THAT'S the bottom line. Not a game that was easily watched. It was one of those game we appeared to be lathargic. However UConn was still able to hold Marquette at bay without much help from the bench. It's hard to play well when you're tired. I think given the status of the roster, UConn played well enough to get the job done. Look at the box score and the number of bench players and minutes they used compared to UConn. Now everyone can rest, and be ready for Butler Tuesday. Aubrey should be back, and we may see a glimpse of Azzi as well.

We won the game, yet there are still a lot of posters not satisfied, pointing out the obvious negitives. UConn did just enough to win. That's all we can ask. This was not one of their better games, but UConn did do a lot of good things on defense. They took Marquette completely out of their normal game routine. Per CD on Bob Joyce's postgame show, Marquette's leading scorer only took two shots the entire game. It was not a good game for Marquette either, they lost. Let's compliment the players (team) for their effort today. They gutted it out. Only two day's rest before they travel to Indianapolis to play Butler on Tuesday.

 

[Huskie837]

Ugly win; survive and advance…

 

[Carnac]

No I didn’t. I watched on a cellphone.

You have my sympathies. I've watched games on my cellphone. That's one step away from not watching it at all. Hopefully you can watch the replay when posted in the boneyard later today. Happy new year TeamFirst.

 

[Happydad745]

Marquette was quick on getting back on defense, shutting down our quick breaks....I thought we should have passed more to the inside to create fouls (if they were called), and to give outside shooters more space. UConn worked hard though, good defense, but missing players will catch up with anyone, sooner or later. Great game for Caroline and Lou.

 

[HuskyNan]

Does she make any more than some of the starters? If she played more maybe she would make less.

It didn’t make sense vs this defense

 

[jabstep]

1. Marquette is a very well coached team. They run their sets and consistently got one of our big's on their guards and then posted up our guards with a forward.
2. On defense they know our offense and made us work hard for shots. They took AE out of the game.
Which most teams have had trouble doing.
3. These are the kind of games that we help us in the Dance. Tough hard fought never say die games.
4. The healthy troops are on the way.
5. I think Amari can score down low if given the chance.

 

[gold2323]

Tough game.It seem like hand to hand combat.
I wish Amari can get more playing time she has
the ability to contribute….size…outside threat….can post up strong.
And I like she is back to her old hairdo.

 

[LoboDays]

This team was justifiably exhausted. It looks like Amari and AP aren’t in Geno’s plans ..at least not now. Azzi and Aubrey need to return ASAP. Exhaustion leads to injuries. Way too many minutes for these players. What they did in the 4 th quarter was amazing but not healthy.

What Lou did today with the defense focused on her was player of the game worthy. Hopefully, CD is truly back. Her performance today was aa big reason for the W.

 

[HuskyNan]

No I didn’t. I watched on a cellphone.

Geno said Caroline played well except on defense

 

[TeamFirst!]

Caroline is not as quick as a lot of players but she gets her hands up and contests a lot of shots without fouling. She’s strong fundamentally.

 

[Redux]

I was hoping to see Ines comes with some minutes

To replace whom? Geno was never in a place to be able to give up the offensive potential.

 

[and one]

It wasn't until 3:11 left in the 4th Q when we went up by 11 that I knew we'd win and relaxed. I actually was pretty sure we'd win the whole game despite Marquette hanging in there.

As has been mentioned, we just have to get more healthy bodies available. The minutes the starters have played is just not sustainable. Getting Azzi and Aubrey back in the mix will be a relief (pun intended) to all concerned.

For today, props to CD and Lou. They both came through when it was really needed.

 

[Rb335]

Caroline was such a joy to watch today. I loved her hitting two 3s in the 1st quarter, and then coming alive offensively in the 4th. She’s also been rebounding the ball really well this year. Some defensive timing and limiting turnovers is all she has to really clean up. I’m such a fan of her game, so crafty.

Averaging 11.6 ppg since Azzi got injured. Quietly stepping up like last year!

 

[Carnac]

Marquette's bench played 34 minutes to UConn's 9. The Huskies shot a better percentage, had more assists, and more rebounds. The starters really answered the call.

34 to 9 is HUGE. It's hard to play when that 50 lb GO-rilla (fatigue) jumps on your back, clamps on and rides you the rest of the game. It's bad when you know Geno is NOT going to sub for you. It's very easy to critize if you've never walked a mile in their shoes. When you're drained, your coach knows it. If he/she leaves you in, that means they don't have a sub for you they trust to be in the game at THAT juncture. You just have to gut it out. Sometimes late in the game, it's all you can do to run up and down the court, let alone make any plays.

There's nothing worse than looking over at the bench when you're spent, and giving your coach "that look", and he shrugs his shoulders basically telling you no. That's why I'm giving a tip o' the turban to ALL of the UConn players that played today.

 

[BBallF]

We were completely exhausted out there today but still battled through. Marquette plays a very bruising defense, with slaps, restriction of movement on cuts, pushing and it is even more effective when you are dog tired. The minutes were insane with Dorka having the least of the starters with"only" 35 since she came out of the game.

To me the biggest takeaway was the reemergence of Caroline. The 3 was working for her and she became the opportunistic scorer of last year underneath and with pull ups. She scored from the arc, on drives and with her jump shot. Her defense was good and once again she was clutch like last year. 19 and 7 is very respectable. That save under our basket late in the game to Nika which led to the Dorka "dagger" 3 was a great, great play. She has to work on the turnovers but there is improvement every game.

Marquette decided to double and triple underneath but the perimeter game tandem of CD and Lou carried the banner today. It was tight at times but another "growth" win for us. Aubrey and Azzi will add a lot and overnight. Happy New Year to all.

 

[BBallF]

Caroline was such a joy to watch today. I loved her hitting two 3s in the 1st quarter, and then coming alive offensively in the 4th. She’s also been rebounding the ball really well this year. Some defensive timing and limiting turnovers is all she has to really clean up. I’m such a fan of her game, so crafty.

Averaging 11.6 ppg since Azzi got injured. Quietly stepping up like last year!

Totally agree. I listened to her high school coach before the game. He sounded like she was back to her game as of Seton Hall but he did say it would be fits and starts. She is a gamer, a player, and a cold blooded assassin out there. She just needs to get healed and rested. Great kid too.

 

[Next 12]

Caroline is looking like shes back. She came up big when we needed her. Shes tall, can get open, and has a sweet shot. Azzi coming back will force defenses to guard her and make things easier for everybody else.

Think ahead a week or so and we've got Caroline Azzi and Aubrey and thats gonna be fun to watch. Hey we can give our starters a rest. We've been waiting a long time to get healthy and I think we are only a few days away. This is gonna be exciting.

As always Tonyc, I agree with you. to me this game was a nail biter and contributed to a nervous stomach, but a win is a win. Caroline is almost back and getting better every game so I have confidence it's coming, Caroline of old. The defense actually won this game by not letting Marquette get into a rhythm and score more points. I give credit to the whole starting five for a game that was up for grabs and they pulled it out. GO TEAM!!! GO HUSKIES!!!

 

[freshler40]

Game summary in ONE word. Fatigue. Get some rest ladies.

We played tired and uninspired it seemed. Nika didn't drive the train, was to passive and played like practice set-ups. She has to drive and shoot more to open up the court. Our offensive sets are much too predictable. Our starters are playing too many minutes, even with the short bench. Zero points from two positions hopefully will change. We need to look for our shot more instead of looking to pass. Our creative basketball is missing.