UConn - Providence post game

[HuskyNan]

They continue to win the games that they should win. Yes the blossoming of Last Second Arnold and Ashlynn continues, and Brady seems to be finding herself. But most of the reaction to defeating a team that they clearly outclassed seems to fall into the category of irrational exuberance.

People aren’t exuberant because the Huskies beat a woeful Providence team, although many of us do remember the last time they played UConn won 64-54 with Dorka playing 38 minutes and Aubrey had to play 36. We’re celebrating:

• The freshmen continue to play at a high level with no mental lapses or laziness even knowing they could have played half as hard and still have won easily. That’s an upperclassmen attitude- don’t underestimate or disrespect any opponent, maintain your play. Wowza, these kids are special
• The defense was stifling and my beloved pressing and trapping defense just smothered Providence. The more the team can practice playing this type of defense, the better. It will be vital against bigger teams since guarding the ball is more effective than guarding a bigger player when the team is undersized
• Amari and Ines played great games last night which let Geno rest Paige and Aaliyah. And Amari showed some of that talent we’ve been clamoring to see. Please, oh, please let this be the first step on her road to continued improvement. She could be so valuable and playing well against any team, even Providence, will give her confidence to move forward
• Ines’s fine play could earn her time earlier in a game which would allow the Huskies to press All Game Long. Opponents would leave the court wondering what hit them

It was a glorified practice last night and with the exception of Q’s meeting the dreaded Freshman Wall, everyone played well

 

[Rb335]

Thats what we need to sustain the season. I'd like to see the same for Edwards so they stay fresh.

The biggest contribution from Ines and Amari will be their ability to provide 4th quarter minutes in wide margin of victory big east games. I expect to see them play most the 4th quarter to ensure our rotations minutes are capped.

 

[cohenzone]

I think slowly Amari is beginning to figure it out that she is a post player, not a shooting guard. Once she buys into the fact that her niche is in the paint...she will become a very effect player.

One can hope. Frankly, though, her offense is #3 on my list of what i would like to see from her. What would help most would be rebounding at both ends and defense. I”m not sure she has the strength to hold off a very physical center, but shot blocking is pretty useful. I’m not quite ready to hold my breath. Ditto for Ines although she shows more to me from what you want from a point guard.

 

[Pharos]

Prediction: Qadence will be coached to focus more on "all the other little things." She's only an inch shorter than Aubrey. I think she's got potential athleticism like Aubrey's (I know comparisons are a bit futile) and could be a disrupter and a good rebounder... and then I think the shop will come alive stronger.

 

[Boreifs]

Great game. Nice minutes by Ines and Amari. Gives both of them some confidence.

Our guard lineup is costing in rebounds. Not a problem now, but not sure what they will do against top competition. Guess we will find out.

Any team that takes 25 more shots is going to be out rebounded. It was a total non issue during the game.

 

[Boreifs]

UConn has moved up to sixth in the Massey ratings after Baylor’s blowout loss to an unranked team. Their power rating is third, behind the two unbeaten teams.

 

[DEpup]

UConn has moved up to sixth in the Massey ratings after Baylor’s blowout loss to an unranked team. Their power rating is third, behind the two unbeaten teams.

And remember that UConn has beaten Kansas....

 

[Beemer]

We werent lookng to Aaliyah and Paige. We have alot of confidence and alot of energy Our freshman have stepped it up and Ines and Amari looked really good tonite Were gettin there. Never ever doubt Geno what he's done with this team is amazin

To me this is so important- everybody is contributing so the burden doesn't fall so heavily on Paige & AE. They (hopefully) will not be so worn down in March.

Very happy for Ines & Amari, they played very well and hopefully they will build on it.

 

[Centerstream]

Nitpicking: 7 of 31 from 3...shouldn't this be considered dreadful (I am being serious)
The Friars where annihilating us on the boards but we did close the gap
Feel really really bad for her...she must be having nightmares over her shooting woes these last 2 games. Who would have thought that the only player not scoring in the game would be her? Poor kid.

And I was amazed by Paige, when she was on the bench. One of the assistants handed her a Powerade after she sat down. I don't read lips, but I am pretty sure that Paige said "Thank you." Wow, what a great person she is.

Obviously I was referring to Qadence...

 

[Centerstream]

Centerstream- - -Players should always treat the Managers with respect as they do so much dirty work behind the scenes!
UConn players always treat their managers well!

I agree but in the middle of a game I could understand the players being a preoccupied at times.

 

[donalddoowop]

I think slowly Amari is beginning to figure it out that she is a post player, not a shooting guard. Once she buys into the fact that her niche is in the paint...she will become a very effect player.

I don't understand why so many BYers forget that Geno wants his post players to be able to score from outside. That way they can pull the opponent's post player away from the lane.

 

[cohenzone]

Geno is not thrilled:

He’s paid to be not thrilled. On D they made Providence look like a high school team in the 1st quarter. He has to be totally thrilled with what this team has been doing.

20 minutes for Aaliyah, 28 for Paige tonight

Aaliyah had foul issues.

 

[HuskyNan]

He’s paid to be not thrilled. On D they made Providence look like a high school team in the 1st quarter. He has to be totally thrilled with what this team has been doing.

Aaliyah had foul issues.

If the Huskies had played a stronger team, Aaliyah would have had more minutes regardless of the fouls. Amari was doing enough that it wasn’t necessary to put Aaliyah back in

 

[eggfit]

One major ingredient that Aubrey possessed more than anyone else on the floor was the ability to follow up on everyone's shot, including her own. She has an uncanny sense of where the ball is going to end up if it doesn't go in, and she makes a beeline for it, and jumps, too! It's split-second timing. I will miss watching this happen. But I do love this starting lineup.

 

[todbo]

So glad to see Ines and Amari getting significant minutes and producing nicely. Having them on the court gives the starters valuable rest AND reduces the chances of injuries.

 

[BobbyJ]

I don't understand why so many BYers forget that Geno wants his post players to be able to score from outside. That way they can pull the opponent's post player away from the lane.

It's because they don't understand how a 4 out or 5 out motion offense works. They think these bigs are just floating around to wherever they want. Their specific position calls for them to go to specific spots to maintain spacing, set specific screens and picks, look for certain options depending on how the defense reacts etc. And you're right, they have to be able to hit the perimeter shots to force the defense to spread. Of course if they can't make shots there's a problem but Brady and Edwards are going and doing where and what Auriemma wants their position to do.

 

[Huskee11]

The pressure defense in the first quarter was the story line of the game for me. I was there at the game and it felt different than anything I have seen yet this season. Many times there was simply nowhere for Providence to go with the ball. Felt like 7 on 5.

Everyone was denying their player the ball and probably saying to herself that she was not going to be the weak link that gives them an out. UConn led 27-8 and we shot ok (10-21) but we missed a lot of very makeable shots, it could have easily been 37-8. In any event, the game was over at that point.

It reminded me of a game at Gampel against DePaul in December 2016 with Kia, Gabby, Napheesa et al where UConn drove Doug Bruno crazy and led 37-6 after one.

Amari`s body language was different last night, she was playing with a purpose. In the past she has seemed to me to be hesitant, even disengaged. But give credit where credit is due. Ice looked more at home out there as well.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Everyone was denying their player the ball and probably saying to herself that she was not going to be the weak link that gives them an out. UConn led 27-8 and we shot ok (10-21) but we missed a lot of very makeable shots, it could have easily been 37-8. In any event, the game was over at that point.

It reminded me of a game at Gampel against DePaul in December 2016 with Kia, Gabby, Napheesa et al where UConn drove Doug Bruno crazy and led 37-6 after one.

Amari`s body language was different last night, she was playing with a purpose. In the past she has seemed to me to be hesitant, even disengaged. But give credit where credit is due. Ice looked more at home out there as well.

I wasn't at the game but made the same observations from home. The press was very different last night and I assume those are adjustments made without Aubrey. The girls looked gassed though 3/4 of the way through the first so they'll have to figure out the right conditioning if they want to do it again.

 

[Pharos]

Any team that takes 25 more shots is going to be out rebounded. It was a total non issue during the game.

And the rebounding difference was 6.

 

[Bone Dog]

If the Huskies had played a stronger team, Aaliyah would have had more minutes regardless of the fouls. Amari was doing enough that it wasn’t necessary to put Aaliyah back in

I was gonna say the same thing. Geno typically leaves Aaliyah in with foul trouble if necessary. I guess he trusts her to adjust her play in such situations.

 

[ABCDFE]

Solid defensive effort in the first quarter. I was impressed with Ines in that 4th quarter. Both Ice and Amari seem to be playing as opposed to be worried about making mistakes. I like how the freshman and the bench players are doing right now. Even though Q couldn't buy a bucket, she's active and getting better on the defensive end.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Happy about the minutes distribution. No one over 33, Paige at 27 and Aaliyah at 20. If we can keep the starters at 30 minutes are less for most of January I'd be very happy. February they need to start building stamina to play 35-40 minutes they'll need to play in March but keeping burn down in January would go a long way to keeping us fresh for March I think.

Still need to figure out the 2 quarter slump and rebounding issues.

 

[BBallF]

The pressure defense in the first quarter was the story line of the game for me. I was there at the game and it felt different than anything I have seen yet this season. Many times there was simply nowhere for Providence to go with the ball. Felt like 7 on 5.

Everyone was denying their player the ball and probably saying to herself that she was not going to be the weak link that gives them an out. UConn led 27-8 and we shot ok (10-21) but we missed a lot of very makeable shots, it could have easily been 37-8. In any event, the game was over at that point.

It reminded me of a game at Gampel against DePaul in December 2016 with Kia, Gabby, Napheesa et al where UConn drove Doug Bruno crazy and led 37-6 after one.

Amari`s body language was different last night, she was playing with a purpose. In the past she has seemed to me to be hesitant, even disengaged. But give credit where credit is due. Ice looked more at home out there as well.

Always good to hear an eyewitness account. As for Ice, that may have been her best all around game. She was very involved, made one really nice right-handed drive move, and played her role well. I think it is just a matter of experience and getting into game shape for her.

 

[sun]

I liked that Ice made a couple of jump shots away from the basket which she hasn't made many of since Europe.
I also liked that Amari & Ice were allowed to play together close to the basket.
I think Geno has tipped his hand that down the road Amari & Edwards will eventually be able to play together against teams with superbigs to form a 3 person frontcourt rotation for UConn to help make up for Aubrey's absence.
Both Ice & Edwards will need rests especially during the BE Tourney when multiple games are played.
And maybe that will help Paige be more of a guard than a combo guard so she won't suffer as much punishment.

 

[Longtime fan]

Ines!!
Amari!!

They don’t have to be superstars, just give 8-10 good minutes. Great game!

View attachment 94981

I think Inez is better than everyone thinks. Sh can give 10-12 minutes per game.

 

[Bone Dog]

I loved when Ice drove the lane. I much prefer when she shoots going to the rim as opposed to her fadeaway shot.

 

[BBallF]

I loved when Ice drove the lane. I much prefer when she shoots going to the rim as opposed to her fadeaway shot.

That was a strong move to her non-dominant side. She just has to work on the finish.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Q's problem is obvious. She needs to get those puffs back. The braids are nice, but they kill the hair karma.

 

[Ralph]

Play of the game was Ines chasing down a breakaway opponent, and she didn't just push the ball out of bounds or block the shot, ala Maya vs. DePaul, she stole the ball and passed it back to a teammate. Maya just called a timeout, so Ines was even better. Well maybe not that good, but pretty darn good. I think she stepped up and showed she could give us 5+ minutes of relief for Muhl. Scariest (dumbest???) play of the game was Page chasing a ball out of bounds and then jumping over the chairs to land really hard putting stress on her knees. I was scared to death when she came up and seemed to be limping. Definitely a WTF was she thinking. She needs to protect herself at least a little. And protect me. My heart can't take that stuff.

 

[64Zcode]

Do anyone remember the steal that INES had in last year's Marquette game when
she, again like last night, ran down the Marquette PG from behind, tipped the ball
ahead and grabbed the ball before it went over the end line.? Beautiful: speed and
dexterity. On the INES highlight tape from last year (just google: INES BETTENCOURT, Highlights)
you will see a shot of H. C. Meghan Duffy's chagrin at INES's Play ... just like last night against
the Friars! Go INES, speed and tenacity... it makes plays and helps win ballgames!

Thanks for the tip on the highlight reel, that is the run-down I was thinking of in my previous post. I just didn't know what game to reference in order to find it.
I think Inês is a bit of an untapped resource right now, maybe she'll get a bit more game time in conference play that will pay dividends going forward. Fingers crossed....