UCONN - NC State post mortem thread

[EricSD]

What a humbling game. The scary part is that this team, more than most teams in the nation, should be ready to start the season. Not only did they have the whole summer together (most teams did), but they also went to Europe and had a chance to bond and play 4-ish games.

I get that we have a lot of new pieces, and I suppose the silver lining is that Paige looked great, Q is going to be really good, Edwards had moments (but lost focus for a long stretch), but lordy, we were outplayed in every possible way after Q1. Not a good sign...

By the way kudos to NC State for taking it to us. Great game by them! And Saniya Rivers - wow. Has she developed nicely!

 

[tomcat]

We learned a lot today:
1. Anyone who thought UConn would go undefeated was wrong.
2. If this team can't beat NCState, they certainly cannot beat SC, which is even bigger
3. Saniya Rivers is a wonderful player
4. UConn has rebounding problems, and the front court weakness that so many have discussed on the BY is very real.
5. Not that anyone questioned it, but Wes Moore sure does know how to coach.
6. NC State should bottle and sell the stuff they used to completely befuddle UConn's defense. I don't think I have seen a UConn team schooled like this in years.
7. When Fudd has shooting problems, the team has shooting problems.
8. Brady is still a freshman, ands often plays like it. Arnold did not look out of place, and where would UConn have been without Samuels?
9. Edwards was not the consistent presence we've come to expect. In the middle of the game, she simply lost all focus,. kind of like when she was a sophomore. Sure hope that is not a trend.

 

[caseyb7]

Not anticipated.

They were prepared for us, we were not prepared for them.

We were height-challenged & out-boarded. Edwards can’t be the only big on the court for us.

Surprise and lowered expectations.

 

[jpp13]

No Defense No rebounding until those are fixed we ain’t winning anything

 

[reelfan]

A complete and total disaster. Coaches didn't seem upset.

 

[darrell]

If no one else will say, I will.

The people who were worried when we didn’t get another Post out of the portal and the people who were worried that Paige & Nika playing together would be counterproductive are completely justified. After just the second game.

 

[HuskieDawg]

There were only two good things about this game in my mind. Paige looking like vintage Paige and QS looking very confident for a freshman. Really liked her game.

Outside of that NC ST outplayed across the board and dominated us on the boards.

 

[CL82]

 

[maple]

What an absolutely embarrassing game today.

We were outrebounded and out hustled. We let Rivers absolutely dominate us. Our offense was stagnant and our defense was non-existent. This looked like one of our games from last year — except this year there’s no excuse of injuries or exhaustion.

Thank goodness Paige was playing or the score would be even worse.

I don’t know what Geno, the coaches, and these players need to do to get it together, but they better get on it or it’s going to be a long season.

I know I probably sound extremely negative but I expected so much more from this team and this game was straight up BAD.

And I know it’s November and all that — still didn’t like what I saw. At all. A LOT of room for improvement ASAP.

 

[UCBaller2012]

Why did it take until the 4th quarter to establish Edwards on the block?

Fudd missing wide open 3s in the first half came back to haunt.

 

[Waquoit]

This looks like the same team that lost in the Sweet 16. And that team lost it's two best players, only replacing one. Unless some of the rooks grow up in a hurry or Paige decides to take 30 shots a game, another Sweet 16 looks to be the ceiling.

 

[Redux]

This could easily have been a 15 point game. There was no comeback but at least they didn't fall apart at the end.

Before we fall to pieces. Multiple choice question: would you rather have your worst one of the year early, on the road out of conference, or in March. Or in a tournament game.

LOTS of talent on this team. It didn't (and won't) go away.

 

[Happydad745]

Not a fun day for anyone in our group....Bueckers was off the charts, the rest of the team was so so. We were out rebounded 28 to 18, and for a UConn defense to give up 92 points is very unusual.

 

[Conndog]

NC State sure looked like the better team today. Quicker, taller, able to shoot. The zone by UConn left NC State players open and, unlike UConn who didn't shoot well, they made a lot of their shots. Disappointing game for sure.

 

[HuskieDawg]

Not a fun day for anyone in our group....Bueckers was off the charts, the rest of the team was so so. We were out rebounded 28 to 18, and for a UConn defense to give up 92 points is very unusual.

I thought Qadence, for a freshman, was much better than so so, but agree on the rest.

 

[uconnfan68]

No Defense No rebounding until those are fixed we ain’t winning anything

Too small, too slow, and poor shooting. Not the combo you want.

 

[Hist-teacher]

I agree with most everything that was said but what's happened to CD? 2 points, 0 rebounds and 0 assists. She looked slow and totally ineffective.

 

[southofnorth]

The good: Paige looked fearless driving and taking/initiating contact! Also Qadence showed she’s confident and competent! Also, UConn only committed 12 turnovers. I’ll take 12 over 25 any day—even in a loss.

The Bad: Yeah UConn lost. Life moves on. Still, the rebounding and defensive efforts were lacking. NC State was +12 overall on the boards. Gotta box out and SPRINT to the ball every time against bigger/more athletic teams.

The Ugly: 22 fouls that led to 28 NC State free throws and put players in foul trouble.

Thankfully it’s only November! Plenty of time to grow.

 

[Urshurak]

What a mess. ZERO defense. Not a lot of effort except for Paige and Q.

NC State dropped 30 in the 4th quarter.

Not sure where this team goes from here. That was really really bad.

 

[uconnever]

We needed more KK because otherwise, we are too slow at guard. Lots of missed shots. Out toughed and we’re definitely too small. TERRIBLE defense

 

[Hayven]

Paige remains our only killer. Love what Q brings, her defense needs work but that will get worked out with more playing time. I hope she starts the next game.
Also this is my post from the LSU-Colorado thread…this is why I believe in karma

 

[HuskyNan]

Not a fun day for anyone in our group....Bueckers was off the charts, the rest of the team was so so. We were out rebounded 28 to 18, and for a UConn defense to give up 92 points is very unusual.

Disagree. Qadence was poised and totally unafraid of the moment. She was a bright spot today

 

[uconnever]

Too small, too slow, and poor shooting. Not the combo you want.

Exactly.

 

[XLCenterFan]

We got dominated down the stretch. Refs seemed to swallow their whistles a bunch but that’s not why we lost. For some strange reason, I end up happy for teams and fan bases when they win their Super Bowl - even if it’s vs us.

 

[HopJim]

Give NC State credit but many curious substitution and defensive choices by Geno. Not sure why Fudd, an adequate defender at best, would be on State's top offensive option for most of game, why Muhl, who was abused by State's quick/strong guards, stayed on them with KK on bench, etc. Unfortunately, many good lessons learned by team and coaching staff.

 

[maple]

Before we fall to pieces. Multiple choice question: would you rather have your worst one of the year early, on the road out of conference, or in March. Or in a tournament game.

Is the worst game an automatic loss? If so then November, obviously. But the really great teams can have their worst game of the season and still win. We used to be that team.

 

[luminosity]

Only Paige and Q showed up today for all 40. Aaliyah had points but she disappeared for two quarters. Everyone else stunk.

Caroline got completely outplayed by Q in all aspects of the game. Most disappointingly, she got out efforted by the rookie. If this continues, Q needs to start.

Azzi needs to stop being so tentative when things aren't falling for her. I wish Q could bottle her gumption and give it to Azzi.

NCST not being ranked is a joke. They played like a top 5 team today. They won that game as much as UCONN lost it.

Let's see if they can turn it around against Maryland.

 

[ucbart]

If no one else will say, I will.

The people who were worried when we didn’t get another Post out of the portal and the people who were worried that Paige & Nika playing together would be counterproductive are completely justified. After just the second game.

Agree. I don't care what anyone says, I don't like Paige off the ball. She is a PG, plain and simple.

And Azzi, where does one begin? Her talent is clear, her hunger is not. She is far too passive.

 

[REB1094]

First half - we missed a lot of open looks, they made a lot of tough looks. Managed to go into halftime with a lead anyway
Second half - we simply got outplayed. We were scared, they took advantage.

Great game for Paige, she was single handedly keeping us in it for most of the day. Really liking Qadence as well, she's a sniper

The scout is the same. Crash the boards, play physically, and you will put yourself in a position to beat UConn. I don't see a fix for that this year. Jana is out and Amari couldn't get 1 minute today. Focus on recruiting needs to be size and toughness because we play really really soft.

But Paige is Paige, Azzi and AE will be better, and we will always have a chance with those 3. As of today it looks like our potential is very limited because of the size issue. But luckily today is November 12 instead of March 12. Let's give the staff some time to make adjustments. We have a lot of really big games in the next month before BE play to show improvement

 

[uconnever]

Disagree. Qadence was poised and totally unafraid of the moment. She was a bright spot today

Yes, she sure was. Made mistakes but her mistakes are because she’s young. I just think that once we get to that elite 8 or final four area, we will just honestly be too small. Not that we can’t win it all, we can but I don’t think this team as constructed has what it needs.