UConn-Oklahoma post game thread

[Bone Dog]

I mean we do have to remember she’s off an Achilles injury. That’s gotta do some damage to your courage and mobility.

Ice had a similar year last year coming off her patella injury. Looked timid, didn’t really have any confidence. Fouled everyone. Give Jana some time. Ice learned to control her foul prone body, Jana will too.

Geno did oversell her 100% though. At [least] for now.

I try to remember that there's often several audiences Geno has in mind for remarks like that. But if I try to put myself into his mind [yikes!] for a moment, he must have seen something in those early practices. What could it have been?

If I had to guess, he probably saw a mobile strong player who was unafraid of contact, and one who could also handle the ball at midcourt. She probably seemed more solid and more intense than any of the recent bigs -- Dorka, Olivia and maybe even Aaliyah. I'd picture a quicker version of Mama Stef. If I recall correctly, his remarks came before any of the injuries that season. He was looking forward to the return of Paige, and having Nika and Aaliyah, and a healthy Ice and Jana, along with Azzi and Caroline. In that context, he may have thought Jana would have an easy introduction to D1 basketball and would have been free to develop on a team where other shoulders would carry much of the burden. When I remind myself of the context, I'm not sure he was really overselling her so much as doing some confidence building for her. Events didn't play out the way he'd obviously hoped, and they changed the weight of those remarks.

 

[Gusaford]

Oh, I think we all can understand them, but I can't respect them. Not a good look for her.

Am I the only one who thinks this is a nothing burger? She answered the press's questions in a professional manner. She was very complimentary of Paige. She was emotional in talking about how proud she was of her team. So what that she didn't give an "opening statement"?

 

[hussybulldog]

I don't know if anyone else recalls but when she was recruited Geno really oversold her. With a lot of words he essentially said she's amazing. That did her no favors. There are times I just have to shake my head at Geno.

I totally agree …. From the coach’s introduction of her, I felt she was ready to play on the big stage. After seeing her losing the all after a rebound, you do need to shake your head a little … I don’t thing it was because of the fasting

 

[HopJim]

Strong is incredible in these small ball lineups. Battling players like Reagan Beers. Will be battling Iriafen or Lee in the next matchup. Seems to be able to guard all 5 positions.

Strong has two assets I can't remember seeing so much of elsewhere. While many blocks come under the basket, she is so quick moving to the ball that she often blocks 3 pointers and other outside shots. She also has the best hands in basketball - if she touches the ball, its normally hers. Doesn't sound very special until you watch her play.

 

[Centerstream]

So, last night, I heard either Rebecca or Ryan say that Paige had outscored OU 19-0 in the 4th Q, but didn't think anything of it. Woke up this morning figuring it was a mis-read of the stats, so of course I had to look. I pulled the 4Q play by play, removed the subbing, UConn misses, and a few other things. They were correct. Other than 6 free throws, OU didn't score a bucket until 2:16 left in the game, about 45 seconds after Paige subbed out:
View attachment 108272

You've become a UConn fact checker...outstanding work!!!!

 

[HopJim]

Here is ESPN's tribute to Paige's 40

It's unfortunate that most announcers, when they speak about Paige's contributions, ignore the fact that if she played a normal number of minutes, she would be scoring substantially more. Using stats to rank players doesn't tell the whole story with Paige.

 

[Centerstream]

I totally agree …. From the coach’s introduction of her, I felt she was ready to play on the big stage. After seeing her losing the all after a rebound, you do need to shake your head a little … I don’t thing it was because of the fasting

I think it's part of our opponent's game plan to attack Jana when she rebounds the ball, whereas with other players they scramble back on defensive rebounds and find their player on offensive rebounds.

 

[HuskyNan]

So, last night, I heard either Rebecca or Ryan say that Paige had outscored OU 19-0 in the 4th Q, but didn't think anything of it. Woke up this morning figuring it was a mis-read of the stats, so of course I had to look. I pulled the 4Q play by play, removed the subbing, UConn misses, and a few other things. They were correct. Other than 6 free throws, OU didn't score a bucket until 2:16 left in the game, about 45 seconds after Paige subbed out:
View attachment 108272

Paige outscored OK in the second half, lol

 

[ERWUC65]

Ditto on comments with special focus on Ash. I have been mystified throughout the season when some posters whine about Shade. Consistently comes up big in important games not only with key shots but great defense, rebounding and overall energy.

Those posters you mention all give their plaudits for Ash's game yesterday and if she can keep it up for a couple of more games (consistency) we will be all on board.

 

[HCCForever]

Strong has two assets I can't remember seeing so much of elsewhere. While many blocks come under the basket, she is so quick moving to the ball that she often blocks 3 pointers and other outside shots. She also has the best hands in basketball - if she touches the ball, its normally hers. Doesn't sound very special until you watch her play.

Strong also works very well with Paige on the two-man game and passes well. There were a few give-and- gos and also that nice pass to Paige on the back door cut. Pretty basketball as Staley would say.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I'm treating this like a Paige thread for obvious reasons. I never saw this. Maybe it is new to you. I title it: All Grown Up

 

[cancontent]

Am I the only one who thinks this is a nothing burger? She answered the press's questions in a professional manner. She was very complimentary of Paige. She was emotional in talking about how proud she was of her team. So what that she didn't give an "opening statement"?

Was wondering this myself. She didn't come across unprofessional or juvenile to me. Getting straight to the questions works for me.

 

[cwh20]

Tight rims? Just don't ask Paige about it....she doesn't bother with the rims!

Paige was incredible and yes, swishes take the rims out of play. The rims did appear tight. I don’t know what OU was thinking as they let Paige get wide open looks all game and she made them pay. Definitely some credit goes to Paige and UConn for getting the open looks but that was just awful for OU to not try to cover her at all cost. They should have been on her as the refs were letting some fouls go as I’m positive I saw some contact on the replay of Beers covering Paige on her first three point attempt. So bad. I’ll add that if they threw multiple players at Paige I would think she would end up with less points but a whole lot more assists.

 

[FormerCTrez]

Nice summary.

Bueckers has career-high 40 to lead one-woman March Madness rout for UConn, 82-59 over Oklahoma

Paige Bueckers scored a career-high 40 points, rescuing UConn from its first-half doldrums and single-handedly turning a tight game against Oklahoma into an 82-59 rout that sent the Huskies to the Elite Eight of the women’s NCAA Tournament.

apnews.com

@Sifaka, thanks for posting this AP article, but I believe there’s a small error in the reporter’s story, found in the paragraph below:

“Bueckers — who led UConn to last year’s Final Four, where it lost to eventual champion South Carolina — came out after the break and made clear her collegiate career would continue, scoring eight points early in the third quarter to put the Huskies ahead.”

I am depending on my memory here, and I know they UConn lost to Caitlyn Clark’s Iowa team. They were penalized for moving screen by Aaliyah Edwards, during the very last seconds of the game, and Paige had the ball in her hands to shoot.

 

[Forego]

If you want to see a ferocious will to win,look no farther than Paige diving on the floor to rip the ball away from an opposing player and passing to a teammate. I've seen slower lions diving a wounded zebra on nat geo. Just wow.

Just another day on the Serengeti for Paige. Reminded me of one of my favorite Gary Larson cartoons. Since the cartoon may be subject to copyright I will refrain from posting it here. You can view it by googling: the far side lions and zebras.

 

[DEpup]

A 40 point player can hide a lot of sins. Undoubtedly our defense was stellar but the offense was worse than subpar. Tight? Get over it fast!

Yeah I think Strong was tight in the first half, understandable. She was 4/6 in the second half so if she had a game of 8/12, not sure that statement holds water.

 

[Dogstar]

I think it's part of our opponent's game plan to attack Jana when she rebounds the ball, whereas with other players they scramble back on defensive rebounds and find their player on offensive rebounds.

The same thg they do whn she "catches" the ball on a post up, I thk she often brings the ball down too low or dribbles the ball too high....l also thk tht a classic case of " the game hasn't slowed down for her yet"...there's a GIGANTIC difference between D1 wcbb and playing in FIBA games. With the right attitude and hard work I thk she'll be just fine and the player tht we want/need her to be for
UConn.

 

[BobbyJ]

I try to remember that there's often several audiences Geno has in mind for remarks like that. But if I try to put myself into his mind [yikes!] for a moment, he must have seen something in those early practices. What could it have been?

If I had to guess, he probably saw a mobile strong player who was unafraid of contact, and one who could also handle the ball at midcourt. She probably seemed more solid and more intense than any of the recent bigs -- Dorka, Olivia and maybe even Aaliyah. I'd picture a quicker version of Mama Stef. If I recall correctly, his remarks came before any of the injuries that season. He was looking forward to the return of Paige, and having Nika and Aaliyah, and a healthy Ice and Jana, along with Azzi and Caroline. In that context, he may have thought Jana would have an easy introduction to D1 basketball and would have been free to develop on a team where other shoulders would carry much of the burden. When I remind myself of the context, I'm not sure he was really overselling her so much as doing some confidence building for her. Events didn't play out the way he'd obviously hoped, and they changed the weight of those remarks.

Or maybe his usual exuberance with a live microphone caused him to temporarily forget about El Alfy’s lack of post footwork and fundamentals. At least he’s certainly aware of them now. Hopefully she and the staff can get to work on them this summer. The potential is there, we’ll see if the work is.

 

[Dogstar]

Just another day on the Serengeti for Paige. Reminded me of one of my favorite Gary Larson cartoons. Since the cartoon may be subject to copyright I will refrain from posting it here. You can view it by googling: the far side lions and zebras.

Man I really miss The Far Side

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Yeah I think Strong was tight in the first half, understandable. She was 4/6 in the second half so if she had a game of 8/12, not sure that statement holds water.

Yeah but she never misses! At least it seems that way. Thanks for the math.

 

[BIGMAC]

Accurate.

It's called The Zone

 

[Crossover]

@Sifaka, thanks for posting this AP article, but I believe there’s a small error in the reporter’s story, found in the paragraph below:

“Bueckers — who led UConn to last year’s Final Four, where it lost to eventual champion South Carolina — came out after the break and made clear her collegiate career would continue, scoring eight points early in the third quarter to put the Huskies ahead.”

I am depending on my memory here, and I know they UConn lost to Caitlyn Clark’s Iowa team. They were penalized for moving screen by Aaliyah Edwards, during the very last seconds of the game, and Paige had the ball in her hands to shoot.

The moving screen was called on Nika. I think it should have been a "no call", and not just because I am a UConn fan.

 

[Happydad745]

Holding the Sooners offense to just 59 points really signals how this UConn defense is for real. OU is fifth in the nation in scoring offense and first in pace, with the team constantly running the floor and getting good looks. Instead, the team scored its fewest points of the season. To put this in some context, Oklahoma had scored over 100 points five times and under 70 just four times.

 

[SCyankee]

Or maybe his usual exuberance with a live microphone caused him to temporarily forget about El Alfy’s lack of post footwork and fundamentals. At least he’s certainly aware of them now. Hopefully she and the staff can get to work on them this summer. The potential is there, we’ll see if the work is.

So, Jana had 9 rebounds in 12 minutes of play. Seems like that helped.

 

[Forego]

One of many differences between Caitlin Clark and Paige. If you didn’t view the highlights in Post #68, above, take a look Paige’s first 3-pointer of the game. (About the 7;00 mark) Blatant foul by the OU player that was not called. Paige immediately got up and ran up the court to get back on the defense. Clark would have spent the rest of the quarter whining to the officials about the no-call.

 

[Cuango]

There is no reason to throw the ball into Jana. Nothing good comes from it.

Yeah, and nothing good will ever come from it if they follow that advice! How about we give her some credit for her effort against Beers and some understanding that posts take a little longer to develop? She is still essentially a freshman and will, I predict, make you change your tune in the coming three years!

 

[ABCDFE]

I am thoroughly impressed with the way the team is playing. I will admit during the season I just wasn’t seeing the killer mentality from the team. But over the last two months or so they have proven me wrong.

I will say this. With Sarah and Azzi having ok to decent games it would seem that our margin of victory means our defense is playing elite, which allows us to withstand the poor shooting durations throughout the game. I also believe that AZZI And Sarah will play better here on out as they gain that experience of playing together and get all the jitters out.

Lastly, I was worried about the contributions from Shade and KK in big moments for us earlier in the season. But they also have proven me wrong. All in all many of my worries I’ve had has been mitigated to a large degree. My only worry now is the interior. We will need some offense from Ice and Jana. As we saw Sarah could get into foul trouble and one or both will have to step up for us as potential inside games against the likes of Betts/Morrow/Prince/Edwards will prove to be a challenge

 

[Cornell Lt]

I really liked Jana's game. She rebounded the ball effectively, but more importantly she set some solid screens for Paige to operate over. For a freshman I thought she played well under the pressure.

 

[cancontent]

It's called The Zone

Tell that to the person who made the post on Twitter/X. I posted it to support the statement made in the post I replied to.

 

[Majic Hands]

According to the UCONN chat room:
1st half with UCONN down by four: Geno is a horrible,clueless coach
2nd half with UCONN up by 23: Geno is the best coach in WBB

Never been there.

Personally, I’m more interested in seeing the game than try reading what someone else thinks is happening.