UConn-Oklahoma post game thread

[RoadMaster]

Swipe..

 

[AzzisBraids]

Paige Bueckers showing why she's a generational player. Goodness, is this what Diana Taurasi did? She put this team on her back and said "I'm heading to the Elite 8, pack your stuff you're coming too."

Shade was such a difference maker and held it down till Bueckers fully caught fire. Strong had an off night but was solid when it mattered and fed the hot hand in Bueckers, Azzi couldn't buy a shot tonight but played solid defense and had some key steals and decisions on the ball, Chen helped diffused Verhulst and protected the ball - really like how she played today, Brady and El Alfy did their best to make sure Beers was not a factor.

UConn bounced bag from a troubling first half and Paige Bueckers looks like she's done being the bridesmaid in the NCAA and wants her title, here and now.

 

[Rdkid]

I thought Chen played really well. Steady and always after a loose ball.

 

[Vowelguy]

Wondering about Aubrey. At first I thought maybe she was being held until the 2nd half so OU couldn’t adjust. And who knows maybe if things didn’t turn so quickly that still could’ve happened.

Or maybe against OU he wanted shooters on the floor?

Or maybe preserving her absolutely needed?

Or ….

 

[Ralph]

But Paige missed a FT, puts her back under 90%. I think she needs to now make at least 5 or 6 without a miss.

 

[reelfan]

The front court did just enough, played solid D. They are progressing.

 

[Kaizen]

We had Paige and they....

Yes, we have Paige and they have Beers ....

 

[Next 12]

Again a masterful job of basketball. Tire them out in the first half, listen to GENO at halftime, then destroy them in the second half. Really a brilliant game. Kudos to Shade with her 12 points and 4 rebounds and 3 steals and 3 others in double figures. 4 players in double scoring. We are now a tested team to prove we belong here. Let's finish the job. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!

 

[Charliebball]

Paige is driving the UConn bus.......great to see this team deal so well with their first taste of adversity.........things are only going to get harder so everybody needs to step it up another notch from the first minute on in the next round...

 

[packwrap]

Paige must have seen Hailey Van Lith in the earlier game and thought hmmmm...I can do that.

In a game where UConn was bogged down and behind, Paige put on her jet pack and ho hum puts up a 40 spot.

These are the kind of things she did as a freshman that put her in the NPOY discussion! She's still got it, and now an even more complete player.

Down game for Sarah...but that means a double double with 5 assists


We played better team defense in second half, and OK cooled off from 3.

9 rebounds from Jana and nice team D on Beers from Jana, Ice and Sarah. This is a good test for future bigs we face.

 

[Stagnant]

Was Aubrey ruled out officially?

 

[Valleyfan]

Paige wrote a new page in the UConn history books! What an impressive game by her. Ash did well too. The D was incredible all night. Loved when espn showed a stat at halftime come into the 3rd quarter where OU is like 20-0 when leading at the half and UConn was 0-2 when losing at the half.

 

[Martin84]

Let's see what Stephen A has to say now haha

What did he say?

 

[freekimchee]

Paige Madison Bueckers with the 40-burger. We are so priveleged to watch her greatness.
Our bigs didn't score much, but they did their job inside also limiting Beers to 10 pts.
Ash is just so Midwest TOUGH.
I was breathing into a paper bag in the first half. Very nice recovery in the second. On to Elite 8.

 

[jaydee602]

Let’s hear it for Ash’s game today. 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and just generally being a gnat on defense

Do you think she spent the whole off- season & regular season waiting to redeem herself after last postseason's letdown?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I am so damn happy that Paige finally let the Paige demon out to play. She did several things with that performance, but I think more than anything she put up a billboard for the world to see and it says: Here I am and I'm coming for more. God I love that girl.

 

[ec33]

For as "off" as everyone not named Paige was offensively, they all played hard, did the little things, and played solid defense. And that is plenty when you have someone named Paige offensively playing like this.

 

[darrell]

Thought this was too funny not to share.

 

[huskyd]

Sort of thought maybe Paige would catch Maya for the all time scoring record... today! Holy carp Paige! loved the scenario - Geno pulled her in the first half because he was mad at her defense. Finishes the game with one of the best performances we've seen in a long time in a NCAA game.

Started out slow, made a push, Oklahoma pushed back. Surprising Q2 and more surprisingly, down at the half. No worries, Husky faithful. Paige was en fuego in the second half. Still - a few things... I know it's survive and advance, but still would like to see Azzi and Sarah shoot better.

Honestly a total team effort, even tho some of the play was meh. Still, Sarah with a double double, Azzi finally got to 10 points, Ash with a nice offensive game, and KK with the defense. Way to go team!

• Paige - just wow. Nothing else to add
• Jana - in spite of not scoring, she grabbed 9 boards, had some nice screens for Paige, and helped keep Beers to 10 points. That was a solid effort.
• Sarah - off shooting night, but played really good defense, and ended up with a double double, and 5 assists. Welcome to the big time Sarah! This is what you came to UConn for!
• Azzi also had an off shooting night, but still loved her out there. 5 assists tied Sarah for the team lead.
• KK total menace on defense and changes the game when she comes in.
• Ash - way to go girl!

Congrats on the elite 8 team! Keep it up!!

Sorry, Eric. Very generous appraisal of the team when really only Paige deserved much credit. Hats off to Ash, though, made some early key baskets, rebounded, tougher than nails. Frankly, I don't know how she shook off a very hard fall. KK is my most improved player, Sarah's and Azzi's best days lie ahead.
No one made a stronger statement for wanting an NC than our Buckets--a godsend.

 

[Vowelguy]

When did Paige miss 11 shots? Seriously I think I only remember 1 in the 2nd half.

Anyone have her numbers by half or quarter ?

 

[Centerstream]

Where's @oldude ...oh wait, he made it. There should be a ruIe, he's earned it imho.
If Paige isn't the best player in WBB this season, then the voters are being paid off!!!
(I saw an ESPN article where Lauren Betts is considered "generational". Well at 6'7, she is this "generation's" tallest player on a P4 team and that's about it.)
Paige outplayed everyone on the court the last two games. She has a great supporting cast who pick up the slack when Paige might take a quarter off offensively . But she came roaring back.
This is a great win, we were down, rode it out and exploded in the second half.
Again, the final score was not the true indication of how well the Huskies played, especially in the second half.

 

[UCBaller2012]

How was Kaitlyn? Also seemed like Ashlyn stepped up, especially in the first half. Didn't get a chance to see the game but looks like it was a great win

Chen had a shaky first half but I will say she was rock solid in that 3Q

 

[TRest]

How was Kaitlyn? Also seemed like Ashlyn stepped up, especially in the first half. Didn't get a chance to see the game but looks like it was a great win

Kaitlyn was solid.

 

[huskeynut]

Down by 4 at the half. UConn comes out in the 3rd quarter and BAMM!!!!!!!! Outscored the Sooners 50 - 23 in the second half.

Forced 23 Okahoma turnovers. Had 18 steals. Outrebounded the Sooners.

Ash was a force that OKlahoma had problems with. Sarah had an off game shooting but played good defense and rebounded well.

Jana didn't scored but she played good D. 9 boards against Beers is really good.

As has been said many, many times, defense wins championships. UConn's defense is championship caliber.

On to the Elite 8.

 

[DEFCONN1]

Paige missed a free throw...trade her