UConn-Oregon State postgame thread

[HuskyFan1125]

Some thoughts on the OSU game;

• Scott Rueck built a wonderful WBB program at his alma mater in Corvallis, OR, only to see his OSU Beavers devastated by conference realignment, liberal transfer rules and NIL.
• At the half, UConn had shot 50% from the floor , 50% from the arc and 50% from the FT line .
• Paige, A.K.A. Miss Basketball Efficiency, had 23 points on 13 shots, with an A/TO ration of 6/1 in approximately 25 minutes of PT.
• I continue to be in awe of Sarah’s hand quickness. She is basketball’s version of the Artful Dodger.
• Jana showed some improvement today. She did execute one really nice move in the low blocks, catching the ball and scoring over her left shoulder. The next time down, she got the ball again in the low blocks and turned it over. She’s a work-in-progress.
• Geno continues to roll out lots of different lineup combinations, some of which look good and some of which do not. At some point, UConn’s rotation will become more predictable.
• Ecstatic to see the lid finally come off for Azzi from the arc. I now expect her to knock down 5-10 x 3’s in a row.
• So who exactly are the LA Sparks GM & HC in the Bahamas to scout??? I can't imagine it's anyone on BC, OSU or Ole Miss.
• 18th ranked Ole Miss should be a good challenge for UConn. Their roster is loaded with athletic 6’0” – 6’2” wings who play hard. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to watch it live.

There is a whole other set of teams which include NC State, LSU, and Washington. That gives you Morrow, Rivers, James, and even Daniels from Washington.

 

[HopJim]

We won, which is really all that matters.

To nitpick a bit, I didn’t love how flat we came out in the second half. I think the MOV could have been much greater — I almost would have preferred a good old fashioned beat down like UConn is known for. But I guess this is just me being spoiled. We still won big.

Oregon St hit almost 50% from 3 today. Don’t love that.

After watching tonight's game against Oregon State, I have to say I am concerned about playing Ole Miss, ND, USC and SC with KC at the PG position. She is a good player, but her lateral quickness and ability to keep players in front of her were exposed tonight. She often got turned around and was left trying to find her man. If she had trouble with Oregon State's guards, who most hardly are considered athletic, what will happen when a really athletic guard like Hidalgo gets in front of her. We will certainly have to employ help defense and a lot of switching to compensate for her lack of lateral quickness. I hope I am wrong on this, but she did not look good tonight IMO.

My biggest concern with last night's game was not seeing two of my favorite players, Ziebell and Cheli, not play more.

Yes, all teams will have issues with teams like ND with two great guards. All teams playing UConn will have trouble with players such as Paige and Strong. Assuming these all cancel out, its the other players that will determine the winner. Too many forget what a young team we are when they critique game action. I like our chances.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

Piggybacking on this post on top teams and the pace (POS #0) they elect to play in:

• UConn sits at 16th with average possessions of 68.3 (not including Oregon State game).

I think Geno has made the half-court offense a point of emphasis this early part of the season. We already know that getting his young roster to play UConn basketball without Paige is another point of emphasis.

• UConn could have easily racked up scoring margins by going to the press (like ND does) — UConn does have the pieces;
• But, imo, Geno is very optimistic on his roster, and it seems they are much farther along than other top teams (UCLA included) in terms of how the half-court #1 offense looks while integrating a super-majority of very young pieces;
• It is contrary to what I expected: that Geno will use the press as a crutch to win games in the tough early OOC schedule which UConn had to win for tournament seeding;
• I am pleasantly surprised.

Did not watch this game — just looked at play-by-play. They were up 42-19 at the half.

• And Geno has been generally happy about his team’s play; that’s enough for me.

#0: POS can be estimated using the formula: 0.5 x (POSA + POSB) where:

• POSA (UConn) = FGA - OREB + TO + 0.436 x FTA
• POSB (OS) = FGA’ - OREB’ + TO’ + 0.436 x FTA’

#1: I have a hunch that Geno will use his press to surprise his better opponents.

 

[Stagnant]

Geno was doing a sink-or-swim with the young players. If he was truly worried about this game, he would have left Paige and Sarah in longer. He's been criticized, heavily, for years for not developing young players earlier but now that he's doing what you want, people are complaining that the freshmen and sophs don't look as polished as the upperclassmen. Make up your minds - do you want him to develop the younger players in game situations or not?

I want him to give them a “real” chance.

Let me explain. Cheli and Q finally check into the game. But they check into the game together. Also on the floor. Ziebell, KK, and I think Strong and then Brady. Paige was probably in for KK at some point during that rotation too. But the point is that there are three maybe four unproven players on the floor together. That’s not giving them a real chance to succeed.

Inserting Cheli or Q with the rest of the starters for 5 minutes. That’s what I want to see.

 

[Boreifs]

LOL, I can't believe people are concerned that we only won by 19, and we should be worried about Ole Miss. Yes, Ole Miss will be a challenge, but anyone who saw the game saw many, many different lineups. In a close game, he will play 8 players, and not go into his bench like he has been. He is still trying to find out who the top 8 will be, so against the lower teams he will continue to rotate in and out until he finds the right combinations. Don't worry, when he gets it, you will know and there will not be any more questions.

The Top 8 is obvious; he is trying to find out if he can add a nine or 10.

 

[Boreifs]

I want him to give them a “real” chance.

Let me explain. Cheli and Q finally check into the game. But they check into the game together. Also on the floor. Ziebell, KK, and I think Strong and then Brady. Paige was probably in for KK at some point during that rotation too. But the point is that there are three maybe four unproven players on the floor together. That’s not giving them a real chance to succeed.

Inserting Cheli or Q with the rest of the starters for 5 minutes. That’s what I want to see.

I totally disagree. The first time he checked in players 9-11, he left Paige and Sara on the court with them. That is a recipe for success and that combo worked out quite well.

 

[Rowdy831]

Watching UConn over the years I often thought their ability to shoot threes was not as good as the coaches thought it was. With that said you have Paige who is going to make all your stats look good and she will do what is needed to keep UConn in the game. Overall I am not overly concerned about the teams ability to win games but I do doubt the starting lineup in this tournament will be the one moving forward.

Azzi will be in as soon as her confidence returns and I look for Jana to be in there pretty soon too. The only team I have seen so far that is scary is ND and that is because they have the one player that is on par with Paige (Olivia Miles) and she seems to be a gamer when they play UConn. Hildago is also very tough and UConn may need to have KK on the floor to keep up with her.

It is a long season and UConn is loaded with talent so my expectation is they will figure it out and win a lot of games.

 

[Dillon77]

Wow, Oregon State with multiple players standing 6'11"?

Always: A trait of Scott Rueck teams. He finds the very tall weeds in the fields and hope a few of them can do some good.

 

[Dillon77]

I know this may sound sacrilegious. But Geno may be learning from Dawn. Over the past few seasons, Dawn played lots of different lineups, usually winning games, but often not pretty. Even in the loss yesterday to UCLA, Dawn played 12 players, 9 of whom played double-digit minutes.

The benefit is that everyone is well rested for the Big Games in March, and the added depth you gain from giving lots of players meaningful PT becomes a serious advantage to deal with the various opponents and matchups you face in the tournament.

If you've got the (very good) players -- and UConn (and South Carolina have them -- play them early on. The rotation will take care of itself later on. Signed: a fan of a team that has 7 functional players.

 

[oldude]

Seems

If you've got the (very good) players -- and UConn (and South Carolina have them -- play them early on. The rotation will take care of itself later on. Signed: a fan of a team that has 7 functional players.

Seems like many BY’ers are terrified of 2 of ND’s 7 players, specifically Miles & Hidalgo.

 

[Centerstream]

I'm late to the party this morning so please excuse me if this horse was already beaten...
Last night, in the Chat I believe, it was mentioned that Ayanna was in uniform. Has this been confirmed, and if so, any news from Geno about her? (I have missed any pressers).

 

[Dillon77]

Seems

Seems like many BY’ers are terrified of 2 of ND’s 7 players, specifically Miles & Hidalgo.

This is understandable.
(I went to the Lafayette game and Miles is moving very well post-surgery and rehab. Hidalgo, well, typical focused warp speed.)

As an ND fan but veteran UConn observer, I hold UConn's overall approach and cohesiveness in utmost respect. It's a Geno/Chris trait.
Individually, there's seemingly always Paige. And I'm watching Sarah Strong...whew...pay dirt, UConn.

 

[HuskyNan]

Are we now discussing the Notre Dame or still on OSU?

 

[DEpup]

I listened to the game on the radio. BTW-I really enjoyed the two announcers. I may in the future employ a radio and muted TV approach with some TV announcers.

I got the feeling that Geno definitely wanted to get Azzi's rust off and her going no matter how many shots it took as well as getting Jana back on track after her 0 for America FDU game.

I also got the feeling that he wanted some film for Allie and Q so he could get some defensive messages across or maybe get them playing time on the trip since probably won't see them much tomorrow night?

Did folks who watched the game get the same feeling? It's the only way I can explain why Geno wasn't irate with the second half performance.

 

[uconnfan68]

I listened to the game on the radio. BTW-I really enjoyed the two announcers. I may in the future employ a radio and muted TV approach with some TV announcers.

I got the feeling that Geno definitely wanted to get Azzi's rust off and her going no matter how many shots it took as well as getting Jana back on track after her 0 for America FDU game.

I also got the feeling that he wanted some film for Allie and Q so he could get some defensive messages across or maybe get them playing time on the trip since probably won't see them much tomorrow night?

Did folks who watched the game get the same feeling? It's the only way I can explain why Geno wasn't irate with the second half performance.

He knows they're very young, and he's picking his battles.

 

[Jim]

Last night, in the Chat I believe, it was mentioned that Ayanna was in uniform. Has this been confirmed, and if so, any news from Geno about her? (I have missed any pressers).

The last I saw was that Yanna was cleared for some activities but not yet full 5x5. It was reported that she played on the scout team to help prepare for OSU.

 

[Geew1992]

I'm late to the party this morning so please excuse me if this horse was already beaten...
Last night, in the Chat I believe, it was mentioned that Ayanna was in uniform. Has this been confirmed, and if so, any news from Geno about her? (I have missed any pressers).

Yes. She been doing warm-ups and is practicing. Aubrey was as well. Not sure about contact which is the final activity before game play. I think it's just a mater of time

 

[Geew1992]

Geno really can't catch a break from ya'll. He doesn't play his bench you complain. He plays his bench you complain.

 

[Geew1992]

 

[DefenseBB]

I want him to give them a “real” chance….

Inserting Cheli or Q with the rest of the starters for 5 minutes. That’s what I want to see.

Ok but why do you want to see them
Specifically inserted with the starters vs Jana, Azzi, KK or Allie?

I don’t see what “unique” skill set either of those two have to warrant this specific action. Jana is a 6’5” true post player who can change the dynamic on the floor. Azzi is working her way back into the starting lineup and needs to work specifically with all the starters (Paige, Sarah, Ice) to see her skills sharpen and how she can mesh with them. KK brings the energy, defensive speed, ball handling and transition game (and in my view should be starting over Chen anyway).

While I like Cheli for her size and aptitude, I am not seeing anything that screams “urgent need” for her assimilation with the starters. She has an ok shot, seems to be doing well with the team defensive assignments but I just don’t see her as a game changer. Same for Q, she has upside but she still commits too many mistakes to justify more time with the starters than any of the others.

You can’t keep 3 or 4 starters on the floor the whole game to Just get reps for you 9th, 10th and 11th players (soon to be 11th, 12th, 13th when Aubrey and Ayanna are ready).
Maybe Cheli can become a “lock down defender” with her size and acumen. Q might develop into the sniper we could use but her other lapses hamper that.
What say you as to you pine for this?

 

[hookshot]

Seems

Seems like many BY’ers are terrified of 2 of ND’s 7 players, specifically Miles & Hidalgo.

Those 2 are a given but there is Paige and KK (defensively anyway) to match up. The problem with fully matching up with ND is that Citron is a great player, Koval looks superior (at this point) to Jana/Brady. Westbeld may not necessarily be better than Strong but far more experienced. I'd say ND has the strongest 8 player rotation in the country. Now if we had a fully healthy AZZI, Griffen, Ducharme then the talent / experience edge moves back to Uconn. But, we do not even have a 100% AZZI yet, so December 12th may come a little too early for us, but we'll se how it goes in November. In any event, it will be the strongest final four that we have seen in several years