UCONN-Marquette Post Game Thread

[RockyMTblue2]

Another vid tid bit: The Bueckers Show

 

[Waquoit]

I thought the refs had a great game. There was plenty of non-foul contact where I've been conditioned for a whistle and it didn't come. And that Ashlynn Shade is a difference-maker to me. When she's on the floor, that's one less thing to worry about.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Tiny tid bit from Paige:

 

[cferraro04]

Some fun stuff:

Comparing match-ups in this game with players' seasonal averages...is somewhat useful in determining how individual players performed today.

Aliyah Edwards vs Liz Karlen - Aliyah was able to score two points and got 3.5 more rebounds than her average while Liz was held to 4.2 points and .6 rebounds below her average.

Paige Bueckers vs Fannie Hottinger - Paige was 5.8 points above her average but she was 3.1 rebounds below their average. Fannie didn't have that good of a game she was pretty much ineffective today only scoring 4 points and not getting any rebounds...5.4 points and 9 rebounds below her average.

Ashlynn Shade vs Jordan King - Ashlynn was 2.5 points above her average and 1.2 rebounds above. Even though she didn't hit any of her threes she still found a way to score. Meanwhile, Jordan King was .7 points above her average and 1.1 rebounds above hers but she did hit her average of 2 threes per game.

KK Arnold vs Rose Nkumu - KK was 4.1 points above her average but was 1.1 rebounds below her average. KK also hit on 2 threes which was 1.3 threes above her average. Rose was .6 points below her average and was unable to corral any rebounds putting her 2.0 rebounds below her average. On the other hand, Rose was able to get 7 assists to KK's 2.

Nika Muhl vs Mackenzi Hare - Nika did not have a good scoring game only 5 points (1.5 below her average) on 2/4 shooting and hitting on one three but, she made up for that in other categories...she had a career-high 10 rebounds (6 above her average) and was 2 assists above her average with 7.

Skylar Forbes had a good game hitting 4.2 points above her average and 1.6 rebounds above her average.

Aubrey Griffin was .8 below her scoring average and 2.8 rebounds above her average.

UCONN was 12.2 points above their average; 7 three-pointers above their average; 9.1 rebounds above their average; 3 assists above their average; 1.3 steals below their average and 6.8 turnovers below their average.

MARQUETTE was 15.6 points below their average; 1.5 three-pointers below their average; 6.8 rebounds below their average; 7.4 assists below their average; 4.2 steals below their average and 5.2 turnovers below their average.

 

[Bone Dog]

At the end of the 1st quarter, Paige sinks a last second 3 and as they're running off the court together, Aaliyah jumps up to bump chests with Paige, and Qadence runs up and clearly wants to join in, but then holds back. I don't think she wouldn't have been welcome, but maybe she decided she wasn't ready to insert herself into the seniors' celebration.

 

[CTtoSanDiego]

I love this team and I'm loving the way they are playing. I'm going to pump the enthusiasm brake a tiny bit, because I don't really know how good a team Marquette actually is. Their scoring and rebounding stats were mostly accomplished against far inferior teams. Creighton, Illinois and Arkansas are the only "real" teams they played, and I'm not yet sure whether Creighton is a bit overrated as well. (I'll have a better idea after Wednesday). Having said all that, I am still one happy fan right now, but like many BY'ers, I'm still concerned how this small (but fast and feisty) lineup will fare against bigger and stronger teams like South Carolina, etc. Go Huskies! And as others have said, it would be nice if Ice could contribute a bit more than she currently is. I saw her several times as a sophomore in HS and she showed skill and toughness. We could use her size for 15 minutes (or more) a game.
And there is no one more fun to watch than Paige when she plays assertively!

 

[Bigboote]

My favorite takeaway from this game is that UConn outrebounded Marquette by 15. Marquette may not be tall, but they're feisty and physical and smart about rebounding. That bodes well for the future.

 

[Bone Dog]

Has anyone mentioned that Q didn't wear her hair in puffs?

 

[oldude]

Has anyone mentioned that Q didn't wear her hair in puffs?

I like the new look. Q looks faster with the ponytail.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

I'm a little late to the post game comments because I had a problem with my Boneyard page that I think I've figured out.

I read a lot about how the long layoff was going to cause UCONN to be rusty, blah, blah, blah... Well, I think I was the one that was "rusty;" Many of you may remember my "Go To" beverage during UCONN WBB games is Mike's Hard Lemonade, Mango flavored... It rarely let's us down. Well, as I prepared for the game today, I put on my American Flag Blue UCONN Shirt, I got the link to SNY set up on my computer on Fox Sports Net, and I settled in for what I expected to be a good game and UCONN to send a message to the rest of WBB. When Geno called the time out at like 5:54 of the 1st quarter and UCONN down and NOT looking good, I looked around...and realized I did not have my Mikes to start the game. I went to the fridge and pulled out a MIkes and returned to my favorite chair. The Huskies made a complete turn around and the game changed immediately... I'd say "on a dime"... but it was more like "on a Mikes."

Great Game UCONN!!!

GO HUSKIES

 

[Bigboote]

I'm a little late to the post game comments because I had a problem with my Boneyard page that I think I've figured out.

I read a lot about how the long layoff was going to cause UCONN to be rusty, blah, blah, blah... Well, I think I was the one that was "rusty;" Many of you may remember my "Go To" beverage during UCONN WBB games is Mike's Hard Lemonade, Mango flavored... It rarely let's us down. Well, as I prepared for the game today, I put on my American Flag Blue UCONN Shirt, I got the link to SNY set up on my computer on Fox Sports Net, and I settled in for what I expected to be a good game and UCONN to send a message to the rest of WBB. When Geno called the time out at like 5:54 of the 1st quarter and UCONN down and NOT looking good, I looked around...and realized I did not have my Mikes to start the game. I went to the fridge and pulled out a MIkes and returned to my favorite chair. The Huskies made a complete turn around and the game changed immediately... I'd say "on a dime"... but it was more like "on a Mikes."

Great Game UCONN!!!

GO HUSKIES

It's stuff like this that makes the Boneyard great.

I'm making kalua pork for supper tonight. I was just thinking that it would be great if UConn played the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine, and I could make kalua pork for that game. I don't think doing a whole pig (kalua pig) would work where I live.

 

[ctkaiser]

Couldn't get the game because fox and/or dish were not letting me in. I guess I'll just sit back and enjoy the game later when MJL243 posts it to his YouTube channel.

If you get SNY which I'm guessing you don't they squeeze in a replay or two when they don't show Larry King investigating prostate health. And they wonder why no cable systems want to carry their channel. Worth watching. Solid efforts all around minus the first two minutes.

 

[maple]

I only got to watch the 1st half, but I was very impressed with the team’s performance today. Down 10 to start things off and then coming back and winning big? I love to see it. Great win to cap off 2023!!

 

[Cornell Lt]

At the end of the 1st quarter, Paige sinks a last second 3 and as they're running off the court together, Aaliyah jumps up to bump chests with Paige, and Qadence runs up and clearly wants to join in, but then holds back. I don't think she wouldn't have been welcome, but maybe she decided she wasn't ready to insert herself into the seniors' celebration.

If Cadence chest bumped AE she would end up in the 2nd row of seats

 

[The deacon]

• Somebody really needs to advise UConn’s players that a significant percentage of their fans are elderly, including yours truly, so the extra excitement created when the Huskies start the game by digging a 10-0 hole is not particularly good for our hearts …
• Today Paige looked every bit like the NPOY that we all remember!!!
• Today was a big win against an experienced, well-coached Marquette team.

Well said, Oldude, on top of excellent game summaries by EricLA and others.

The four of us who attend XL Center games together agreed this was the best performance by the Huskies we've seen in a few years, and that this team is as entertaining as they come!

Just a couple of comments:

There are few basketball players I've ever seen who are as 'can't take my eyes off her' brilliant as Paige is when she's healthy. I wish two things now 1) that as many of you BYers who haven't seen her play in person get to do so, whenever and wherever, and 2) for basketball's sake, Paige stays healthy for years to come. It truly is a joy to watch her play the game.

I agree with Oldude in reference to Marquette. Not often do I watch a team and get impressed as it's losing by 30+ points, but I left the XL Center certain Marquette won't lose many games this season... much of that, of course, hinges on the staying power of Jordan King, an outstanding player who was clearly struggling to keep pace today because of her bum leg. It was fun from my seat a few rows up from the visitors' bench to watch Megan Duffy do her thing, whether leading, 10-0, or hopelessly trailing in the second half.

As I just penned on the thread just posted in her honor, Nika deserved accolades today. I feel it was the best game I've seen her play during her UConn career, a measured, mature and yet typically Nika aggressive performance. It seems Geno's adjustment in her role, and playing alongside KK, Ashlynn and Paige is agreeing with Nika.

Finally, Oldude, if you're still with me, yes, that quick 10-point deficit wasn't for the faint of heart, but you might also remember UConn's tradition that no one sits until the Huskies score meant double indemnity. We not only couldn't sit during Marquette's early run, Geno then wisely called a TO, while we stood that much longer. Fortunately, we were richly rewarded with the ensuing UConn onslaught!

 

[RoadMaster]

Some Highlights..

 

[Bone Dog]

As I just penned on the thread just posted in her honor, Nika deserved accolades today. I feel it was the best game I've seen her play during her UConn career, a measured, mature and yet typically Nika aggressive performance. It seems Geno's adjustment in her role, and playing alongside KK, Ashlynn and Paige is agreeing with Nika.

Absolutely right. Nika isn't interested in stats. She wants to win, and that's how she plays, and that the player I want on my team.

 

[Plebe]

A high compliment from Geno: "I was really, really, really proud of them today."

Three “really’s” from Geno = Summa cum laude

 

[Boreifs]

For recent games we have cut down on turnovers. We have 10 more shots during this game than Marq. In turn our defense was great at steals and easy scoring opportunities. Even with the above, several players missed inside shots. Our future is bright and will likely have a top ten rating soon. Our players are now finding a joy to game and unlocking both a solid defense and up-tempo game. Just wishing for a New Years improvement of our bench bigs. If that happens, we could beat anybody!

There are greater opponents, but there are no FAR greater opponents. UConn won this game; Marquette is very well coached and a tough match up for anybody. My son was a teammate of MacKensie Hare’s uncle; she has the family genes!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Between Aubrey and Paige, I thought I was watching George Gervin. Finger roll!

 

[oldude]

Between Aubrey and Paige, I thought I was watching George Gervin. Finger roll!

Aaliyah had one as well…

 

[huskeynut]

Ice is making progress. Geno and CD have said it takes a couple of years for a post player to develop. I'm not worried. The game will start to slow down for her.

Nika had an excellent game. She is not the big scorer many have been harping for her to be. She does a lot of the grunt work. 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 turnover today. Plus her usual defense and energy.

 

[darrell]

Aaliyah meeting her mini doppelgänger.