UConn - ND post game (merged)

[Dogstar]

Credit to KK and Ash for the scoring run early in the second half that pushed the lead out of the vicinity of single-digits for good. If anyone still thinks they shouldn't be starting for this team, I don't know what to tell you.

Ur right..2 big 3s ...and the train kept rolling on and on.

 

[DefenseBB]

I was at the game in my usual spot behind the bench and when Sanchez got a bit “chippy” with Ash late in the game as @HuskyNan noted, Ash didn’t back down and gave it right back at her but with her usual grin despite giving up 7 inches, which at that point Geno point at Serah to go in for Ash which EVERYONE knew why. So when Sanchez tried that with Serah, Serah was absolutely not going to let ANYTHING SLIDE.

A few other things, KK absolutely played GREAT and I am so happy for her. Remember that the HG Top100 had Hidalgo at #5 and KK at #6 so KK proved a lot tonight. BTW, that class of guards was simply INSANE-#1 Juju, #2 Mikayla Williams, #9 Zoe Brooks, #11 Taliah Scott, #12 Madison Booker, #13 Malaysia Fulwiley, #15 Ash, #24 Kymora Johnson and #25 Tessa Johnson. Just unreal and KK is clearly in that company…

Sarah Strong, in a marquee game that showcased two elite candidates for POY, proved well ahead and this is NOT a slight at Hidalgo who I thought played well and did everything she could but KK, Azzi and K9 were beasts in stopping her while NO ONE could slow Sarah down.

Azzi did affect the game despite struggling with her 3 pt shot. That said, Hidalgo was better. Both will be All-Americans, HH 1st team, Azzi 2nd and both on the WBCA 10 player team. FWIW, Blakes had 14 vs Michigan today (Azzi had 31 vs the Wolverines).

I have watched ND play 6 times this year and honestly, they had a good game plan today and played very well but UConn is just at another level. Prosper is really good and impressed me. Adding KK Bransford would have only helped marginally by adding a 7th person to the rotation, not much more.

As noted previously, “defense travels so when shots don’t fall…”. This team has a confidence AND an edge so sit back and enjoy. Onto the next circled game on the calendar….13 days.

 

[Happydad745]

Ash is a starter do you mean K9?

Of course she is, but I am saying any other team as well.

 

[Bigboote]

I don’t know if anyone else noticed but late in the fourth quarter, Ash found herself guarding Gisela Sanchez in the paint. Sanchez gave Ash several sharp jabs with her elbow and due to the height difference, I think it caught Ash in a sensitive spot. FWIW, Ash jabbed back but she was outmatched.

Then Geno subs Ash out for Serah, who had a few words for Sanchez. Serah got a little spicy and I love it. The Huskies have each others’ backs

A little before that, Shade was under the basket covering a big, held her ground after the entry pass, and Sarah got a block or steal. Might’ve made Sanchez a little spicy.

 

[CL82]

 

[Doctor G]

As poorly as they played in first half can’t underestimate the effect the pace, style of play has on opponents. ND had nothing left after the first half.

You’re right: ND were gassed. With no bench, UConn’s pressure, pace and length wore them down

 

[Dogstar]

Speaking of the bench, I very much appreciate Jana's enthusiasm and encouragement. She's a good teammate.

Seems like she'll be returning soon, didn't look like she had any symptoms related to an concussion.

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

I question Blanca's "great game" with 4-11 shooting and her 5 TOs!

Given the atmosphere and importance of this game, Blanca played exactly how I'd expect an incoming freshman to play, like a freshman.

I am convinced that Blanca is the X factor for us be back to back champions. Blanca, like Sarah, haven't even hit their peaks yet. Uconn will be Uber scary come tournament time.

 

[Jackcatscal]

Blanca had a tough shooting night from 3, some turns, but otherwise a solid game from a freshman. I love her game.

You mean Carthago delenda est?

Cato sounded a lot like Geno.

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

I question Blanca's "great game" with 4-11 shooting and her 5 TOs!

Given the atmosphere and importance of this game, Blanca played exactly how I'd expect an incoming freshman to play, like a freshman.

I am convinced that Blanca is the X factor for us be back to back champions. Blanca, like Sarah, haven't even hit their peaks yet. Uconn will be Uber scary come

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

This was an excellent team win for Uconn. And let's not get it twisted, ND is a top tier team, regardless if they are ranked or not, ND is a team every team has to respect and play them as if they were top 5.

I cant wait until Jana returns and hopefully Ice too. Ice stretches the floor a bit more with her 3 point ability, and tight now Uconn is slicing thru those lanes like a pizza pie.

I was happy to see Shade take shots. This is an important part of her development because next year, post Azzi, Shade is going to be doing a whole lot of shooting, so these games, these moments, are crucial for Shade's overall development.

Blanca will get better folks. Trust me. This is her 19th game playing American style of basketball. It takes time to assimilate but when she does, she's going to be unguardable just like Sarah.

 

[sun]

I enjoyed seeing Serah make shots outside of the lane. She's a good shooter and I'd like to see her do that more often,
I also enjoyed seeing Azzi making pro moves to elude her defender while taking mid & short range shots. She has a pro repertoire of moves that are nearly unstoppable, & it would be great if she could take & sink more of them. Azzi is so much more than just a 3 point shooter.

 

[ec33]

I don’t know if anyone else noticed but late in the fourth quarter, Ash found herself guarding Gisela Sanchez in the paint. Sanchez gave Ash several sharp jabs with her elbow and due to the height difference, I think it caught Ash in a sensitive spot. FWIW, Ash jabbed back but she was outmatched.

Then Geno subs Ash out for Serah, who had a few words for Sanchez. Serah got a little spicy and I love it. The Huskies have each others’ backs

Not long before that play Hidalgo was getting feisty with KK and Serah gave her an elbow to the head there as well. Clearly the enforcer.

 

[Conndog]

I thought it was great when Hannah and KK were battling over the ball. They ended up on the floor on the sideline across from the UConn bench. Hannah helped KK up, they spoke and both were smiling.
I have no idea what the refs called.

I like Hannah- she’s the fastest women’s player I’ve ever seen. That was good sportsmanship there. HH competes hard and simply wants to win

 

[Gus Mahler]

Nice to see Heckel make a couple of threes again. If she can keep doing that, it's gravy on the biscuit.

It's been a while since I've griped about the broadcasters, so here goes. Late in the game, Kelis made her usual all-or-nothing-at-all drives and got fouled in the act of shooting. Neither after the drive nor during the free throws was her name mentioned. That's just criminal. And I don't think she was named personally when she and others entered the game.

C'mon, man! It's a big deal to these kids to be recognized.

 

[noirwestern]

Speaking of the bench, I very much appreciate Jana's enthusiasm and encouragement. She's a good teammate.

Best chest bump in the whole damn league, any league.

 

[Cuango]

Worried about Azzi. The best shooter in the country is not right now.

She will get her shot back. Meanwhile, she is turning into a very good defender and when the three is not falling, she contributes in other ways. She will be fine.

 

[Bald Husky]

I really think this is the first time I’ve seen K-9 smile during a game

K9 was smiling when she left the game after one of her great plays to a great ovation from the crowd. I'm sure that was music to her ears, getting flowers from our fans means a lot to a player that is still trying to fit in. She played very well today.

 

[Old Man UConn]

Thank God for KK Arnold. She easily played the best game of her career at UCONN. They were a little tight it seemed in the first half, Got it rolling in the second. Good for this group to face some adversity and overcame it. Geno is down to playing only 7 players Where is Zavell and Jana El

 

[HuskyNan]

Cato sounded a lot like Geno.

Well, they’re both Italians, so….

 

[freshler40]

I thought it was great when Hannah and KK were battling over the ball. They ended up on the floor on the sideline across from the UConn bench. Hannah helped KK up, they spoke and both were smiling.
I have no idea what the refs called.

Yes, a great gesture from both players and perhaps an acknowledgement on their part of where they fit in the game of basketball.

 

[freshler40]

Love Blanca's game and what she brings. What a sparkling future she has and a smile match.

Her ability to slash to the rim cause problems and made Notre Dame have to consider her. She's a freshman and she hasn't looked like it, but this was probably the biggest game of her career thus far. Her passing and assists were key timely buckets.

 

[Molisanos]

I like the conversations around Blanca. Of course, she still needs to fully understand how the American game and officiating work, but people seem to forget that this “sloppy freshman who still needs to learn how to play,” according to some, is actually the team’s third-best player on what is currently the best team in the country, right behind two All-Americans and sharing her position with the Player of the Year.

 

[HuskyNan]

Great photo

 

[HuskylnSC]

It's possible to say that KK played a great game but acknowledge that HH is the better player.

They both do what their team needs. The difference is that KK fits into her team and ND fits into Hannah.

 

[Vowelguy]

C’mon now, why can’t you give KK her props,

lol
KK was great

Only on the BY does “maybe she’s not the greatest player of all time” qualify as criticism.

 

[HuskylnSC]

Well, we have seen what Geno’s preferred 7 man rotation will be in the NCAA’s, in any non-blowout games, although I imagine we’ll see plenty of Allie and Jana as circumstances dictate.

We will see Jana against the big posts. Beets, Beers, etc.

 

[Vancat]

CRUSHED
KILLED
DESTROYED

 

[BobbyJ]

I like the conversations around Blanca. Of course, she still needs to fully understand how the American game and officiating work, but people seem to forget that this “sloppy freshman who still needs to learn how to play,” according to some, is actually the team’s third-best player on what is currently the best team in the country, right behind two All-Americans and sharing her position with the Player of the Year.

UConn doesn't have any problem with her fit. Fortunately, people babbling on a fan forum have no effect on her performance or her relationship with her coaching staff or teammates. Her interviews sound like she's having a very positive experience and getting exactly the kind of work and training that she needs.

 

[CL82]