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Looked amicable to me!
UConn-Providence postgame thread
- Thread starter HuskyNan
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We are lucky in a way but badly robbed in another as to watching Paige play (and missing her when she was hurt.) . What a player. What a joy to watch. Again early on before she banged her knee - there were times I got frustrated that she could take shots but doesn't. But one play after she came back at around the 5 minute mark she has a 3 she could have taken but decides to put the ball on the foor going from left-side of the floor to her right. She gets a pick from a Brady. She is immediately open yet again open to take a 15+ footer but not only that she fades a little to her right away from Brady who set the pick, - as though she is dealying from taking an open shot. Then she finally goes up to take the shot (and I felt -- "It’s about time!"), and what does she do??? - she passes to a wide open Brady for a layup. And then I'm thinking, "of course she did the pick-n-roll then faded right for a reason," - it was to give separation for Brady to roll unimpeded to the basket while Paige was setting up the perfect spacing/angle to make the pass as she was fading right drawing The Defense to her and away from Brady. What an understated but yet brilliant play. Her passing can't get highlighted as it might have otherwise if the team were healthy. And that is another reason why we've been robbed as fans. She would have been "Magic/Showtime" if the team and her were healthy.
Then I thought - what's the point of being frustrated when she doesn't shoot right away? Just enjoy whether she shoots or doesn’t. Then it clicked in my slow brain the prior play she made a gorgeous pass to KK what could have been a layup - and it just made he think - she is just ahead of everyone. Then after these passes - what does she do? She puts on a scoring clinic. Frankly she was Player of the Game- should have been.
If UCONN was ever healthy- for example imagine if Azzi and Caroline were healthy these past two years with a healthy Paige??? Can you imagine???? I'm a big fan of guard play - but anyhow sad the reg season has ended. The two freshmen KK and Ashlynn are not the same as earlier. They ran into the same wall. Which is why we don't see UCONN pressing any more imo.
In regard for next year- food for thought- imagine once season ends and Paige is set to go to WNBA. Imagine Clark struggles her 1st year at Indiana and they wind up with the number 1 pick?
Then I thought - what's the point of being frustrated when she doesn't shoot right away? Just enjoy whether she shoots or doesn’t. Then it clicked in my slow brain the prior play she made a gorgeous pass to KK what could have been a layup - and it just made he think - she is just ahead of everyone. Then after these passes - what does she do? She puts on a scoring clinic. Frankly she was Player of the Game- should have been.
If UCONN was ever healthy- for example imagine if Azzi and Caroline were healthy these past two years with a healthy Paige??? Can you imagine???? I'm a big fan of guard play - but anyhow sad the reg season has ended. The two freshmen KK and Ashlynn are not the same as earlier. They ran into the same wall. Which is why we don't see UCONN pressing any more imo.
In regard for next year- food for thought- imagine once season ends and Paige is set to go to WNBA. Imagine Clark struggles her 1st year at Indiana and they wind up with the number 1 pick?
" not a great team and certainly not a final-4 team."
As far as I am concerned, they are a final 4 team until someone proves otherwise. Are you on the right board?
Looked ok to me too. Definitely not like the conversation with Denise Dillon last game.
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It was a good decision by Geno to sit Paige & Aaliyah in the second half in a game they were clearly going to win, no matter how ugly it appeared at times. Heading into postseason play, this isn't a juggernaut UConn that is expected to contend for a NC, but they have two players capable of carrying them far. How much further hinges on what UConn can get out of their 4 first-year players.
While we held our collective breath when Paige was clutching her knee on the floor, she appeared to be OK. It has been a challenge for her this season coming back after her long-term injuries. Early in the season, her stroke from 3-pt wasn't missing. However, since the Marquette since, she is 17-59 from 3-pt, or shooting less than 29%. That is a number far below her ability. For UConn to make noise in the tourney, her touch needs to reappear.
Fortunately, other aspects of her game are returning. An underrated aspect of Paige's game is her athletic ability. She's not fast like KK, but she had a quick first step that gave her separation from her defender. Another deceptive trait is her ability to elevate to get her shot off against those guarding her. Like others have posted, Paige is guaranteed for at least one "wow" moment per game. Last night was no different. Her misdirection move with the ball, leading up to her elevating and shooting the ball high off the glass was just plain filthy.
Her mid-range game is nearing vintage level and when she is determined to score, there are very few who can stop her. Every game watching Paige play in a UConn uniform is worth the price of admission.
I've posted a couple of times that it will take until next season to see Paige back at NPOY levels. She's getting close and after an offseason to physically recover & train, there will be little to stop her & UConn from reaching the mountain top again. Let's hope she has some Elite 8 NC St moments in her legs for this year's run.
While we held our collective breath when Paige was clutching her knee on the floor, she appeared to be OK. It has been a challenge for her this season coming back after her long-term injuries. Early in the season, her stroke from 3-pt wasn't missing. However, since the Marquette since, she is 17-59 from 3-pt, or shooting less than 29%. That is a number far below her ability. For UConn to make noise in the tourney, her touch needs to reappear.
Fortunately, other aspects of her game are returning. An underrated aspect of Paige's game is her athletic ability. She's not fast like KK, but she had a quick first step that gave her separation from her defender. Another deceptive trait is her ability to elevate to get her shot off against those guarding her. Like others have posted, Paige is guaranteed for at least one "wow" moment per game. Last night was no different. Her misdirection move with the ball, leading up to her elevating and shooting the ball high off the glass was just plain filthy.
Her mid-range game is nearing vintage level and when she is determined to score, there are very few who can stop her. Every game watching Paige play in a UConn uniform is worth the price of admission.
I've posted a couple of times that it will take until next season to see Paige back at NPOY levels. She's getting close and after an offseason to physically recover & train, there will be little to stop her & UConn from reaching the mountain top again. Let's hope she has some Elite 8 NC St moments in her legs for this year's run.
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Appreciate this. I love getting insight from CD. Does she have a regular post-game conversation and on what radio/streaming service?
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First, I must say congratulations to the Huskies for going 18-0 in the conference.
Secondly, after a long, taxing, and tiring regular season, this group has a record of 26-5. Yes, some of the earlier games lost, could’ve/should‘ve been won, but I believe it made them a better group of young women. Is there more work to be done? Yes, especially when it comes to putting the ball in the basket, as well as more contributions from the younger players. Something has happened to their confidence, and that has to be rectified soon. But it’s possible that the team is sick (flu season), and we outsiders will never hear about it, because that’s not UConn‘s style.
I applaud the upper class men, especially Aaliyah and Paige, because both have taken a regular beating from the opponents in every game, and their bodies are sapped. And even when calls go against them, they handle the situations gracefully, which has reminded me, an adult, how to respond to adverse situations. Finally, I believe the break between now and Saturday will have everyone rejuvenated, and the restoration of the team’s energy will be evidenced in the post season.
Once again, congratulations to the team’s accomplishments!
Congratulations to Aaliyah, Paige and Nika for your continued leadership. You‘ve lead your team gracefully, respectfully, and with love. Best wishes for the rest of the season!!
Secondly, after a long, taxing, and tiring regular season, this group has a record of 26-5. Yes, some of the earlier games lost, could’ve/should‘ve been won, but I believe it made them a better group of young women. Is there more work to be done? Yes, especially when it comes to putting the ball in the basket, as well as more contributions from the younger players. Something has happened to their confidence, and that has to be rectified soon. But it’s possible that the team is sick (flu season), and we outsiders will never hear about it, because that’s not UConn‘s style.
I applaud the upper class men, especially Aaliyah and Paige, because both have taken a regular beating from the opponents in every game, and their bodies are sapped. And even when calls go against them, they handle the situations gracefully, which has reminded me, an adult, how to respond to adverse situations. Finally, I believe the break between now and Saturday will have everyone rejuvenated, and the restoration of the team’s energy will be evidenced in the post season.
Once again, congratulations to the team’s accomplishments!
Congratulations to Aaliyah, Paige and Nika for your continued leadership. You‘ve lead your team gracefully, respectfully, and with love. Best wishes for the rest of the season!!
Tonyc
Optimus Prime
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Im glad Geno played everybody else in the 4th qtr. Paige Aaliyah and Nika got a much needed rest and everybody else got to play without them which means they were dependent on themselves. A lesson learned. We need more scorers. The 4th qtr did not show us that. Maybe it will be a wake up call for them to pick a spot on the floor and shoot 500 shots a day until they can confidently knock it down. You may think thats alot and tiering and it maybe be but thats what it will take in a short week and the following week. Next season will have scorers and shooters if healthy. Youve heard Geno mention what might have been. Well Azzi Caroline Jana Sara Strong Morgan Cheli and Allie Zeibel can all shoot and score and KK Ash and Q will be much improved. The rest of the roster is a wait and see in their comeback from injuries. What its been 3 years with the injury bug. Hard to believe. I am hoping that Strong commits and Aaliyah stays one more year. We need Aaliyah's experience and she needs another season to perfect her 17 footer and beyond plus it would be great to see Aaliyah Sara Jana and improve ICE and Yana playing with her. Next season we will lack experienced players because of those coming back from injury and those coming in as freshman. We will be very talented and dependent again on our experienced upper class man.
Coming up we will be dependent on Paige and Aaliyah to carry the scoring. Every team knows that which will make it harder and will also show everybody how good they are. We will have to wait to see who else steps up.
Coming up we will be dependent on Paige and Aaliyah to carry the scoring. Every team knows that which will make it harder and will also show everybody how good they are. We will have to wait to see who else steps up.
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Last two games...were the best I've seen this year as far as defense... especially on switches. More scoring would be great, but this type of defense will help extend their tournament run. Every player took the floor ready to put in work.
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If anyone is interested, last night's game is currently on the Fox Sports App in the Replay section.
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Bigboote
That's big-boo-TAY
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I was just logging in to say the same thing. I'd noticed last game that the switches appeared pretty good, so I watched last night with especial attention to just that. A month or two ago, it seemed like one defensive set out of four or five wound up with someone getting lost. Last night I didn't notice it more than once or twice among the starters. Q seems to have improved a lot, too. PC isn't a great offensive team, but still, 3 points in the second and 9 in the third didn't happen by accident -- UConn was REALLY locked in on defense. If that continues, they'll be better off in the postseason than many had thought.
ThisJustIn
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Bob and Debbie to the radio broadcast on the Varsity Sports Network (Via the app). I love listening to them. End of game they often interview a player, go through the radio highlights, do a little analysis and, if the team isn't zipping home, usually have CD come by for 5-10 minutes of post-game discussion.
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Ironic that the basketball strategy for the next 3 games (in 3 days) will be more on keeping Nika, Paige and Aaliyah healthy than any play design or coaching moves. It's been scary here at the end of the regular season with Nika and Paige both suffering close calls on injuries. The game Saturday against Butler or Providence should be a win by a wide enough margin as to allow them some rest and the use of the bench without concern (even though yesterday's 4th quarter was brutal to watch). Playing at Mohegan is a plus so Game 2 on Sunday should also be a win (perhaps closer), but most likely necessitating lots of minutes from the big 3. Got to think Creighton will make the final and even though that we have beaten them twice, both teams will be fatigued and it will be a battle on Monday. If everyone playing, our best are better than their best and we should prevail. Go Huskies!
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Always enjoyed CD’s interviews from WTIC-AM years ago on the way to work.
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I don’t think Aaliyah and Strong can come. As I understand it, it’s either/or. We have only one slot available! If Aaliyah stays, that’s it, I believe!
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msf22b
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Skeets.
I appreciate fans that immerse themselves totally in UConn Blue, I'm a slightly different sort.
I've been a fan of beautiful basketball, the game I played in the schoolyard (or tried to) in the 50's and 60's...the game of Red Auerbach, Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman and Easy Ed...and the Knicks a few years later ...Clyde and Earl the Pearl, Dave and dollar Bill and Willis
And discovered that Geno is a follower of that style of play...and became a fan...been here ...not from the outset...but prior to the Maya Moore era...maybe 20+ years. Through great teams and lesser ones.
An intense fan, but a rational one. I calls it like my eyes tell me. Geno said something of the sort today...that in order for this team to progress far in the NCAA's would require exceptional play and luck...not his exact words
I think the board is big enough for a a few voices like mine...has been for years.
And your suggestion that I don't belong here is in my view, unwarranted
RedStickHusky
formerly SeoulHuskyFan
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@Skeets @msf22b plenty of room here for a range of opinions without anyone getting their feathers ruffled; we're looking at a 2 or 3 seed so a sweet 16 or E8 finish would be chalk. I wouldn't put it past Geno to manage an upset or two in the one and done format. So there is a chance we exceed expectations but we'd need some luck along the way. That's what Geno was saying. msf22b is offering a consensus view, I don't see how you can fault him. The (maybe?) delusional optimists among us always entertain and occasionally inspire but you can't expect all of us to be wearing those same blue-tinted glasses.
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The Big East teams are again playing us very physically and I was glad for us to get through the regular season without any more injuries. Next is the big East tourney and I hope we win it but mostly come through without any injuries.
The experience the freshmen starters and bench players get is invaluable for their development and to rest the starters.
I believe our defense will take us as far as we can go this year and rotating players in for sometimes maybe two minutes and using end-of-the-quarter substitution patterns should allow us to keep up our defensive intensity for the whole game. Let's go Huskies !!!!!!
The experience the freshmen starters and bench players get is invaluable for their development and to rest the starters.
I believe our defense will take us as far as we can go this year and rotating players in for sometimes maybe two minutes and using end-of-the-quarter substitution patterns should allow us to keep up our defensive intensity for the whole game. Let's go Huskies !!!!!!
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Especially when there isn't a scholarship available for her at this time. Especially when everyone here knows that until a player or the school announces otherwise, everyone on the current roster will be coming back next year.
And what does next year's roster have to do with the Providence Postgame thread???
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