UCONN should be concerned...

[JoePgh]

If Azura can score with reasonable efficiency against McCowan or Brown (and that may be entirely possible), then she should try to do that as often as she can. Imagine what it would do to the Baylor or MSU defense if they had to bring a doubleteam to stop Azura!

If it turns out that isn’t possible (which I doubt), then Geno will shift the main offensive responsibility to the other players.

But my expectation is that if Azura’s minutes are limited in those games, it will be because of foul trouble or bad defense, not because of offensive inefficiency or a reluctance to pass the ball to perimeter shooters.

Azura has a significant mobility advantage over both McCowan and Brown, and Napheesa has the same advantage over Lauren Cox. I don’t think that they will have difficulty scoring against those players, although they may have trouble defending and rebounding against them. I think that foul trouble or an inability to clear the defensive boards are the two most plausible ways that UConn could lose to those teams.

 

[HuskylnSC]

Let’s have a relay race

Put pheesa at one baseline and Z at the other. Now pair them up with McGowan and Brown. Each sprints one length.
Who wins?

Now make the race 5 lengths. I think we may have neutralized any height advantage to Baylor or Mississippi St.

You notice I didn’t include the UConn big who jumps center. That is just not fair. But if you want to make it a three player race. We can do that too

 

[HoopsFan21]

This team is 186-2 (.989) in the last five seasons. Yup, UConn should really be worried.

 

[bags27]

Sometimes a bad question produces a good conversation--like this time.

Let's be clear: neither Z nor Pheesa will "disappear" against the best teams. For one thing, Pheesa doesn't need to get the cutting pass from Z to figure out how to score 20. For another, as part of motion offense, the cutting is often NOT intended to get a return pass: it's also intended to draw some weak side movement to free up Lou or Kia for an open 3.

But I think it's a fair question to ask whether Z has fully developed all her talents in the low post. Clearly she's made remarkable progress, and I'm really looking forward, in the event UConn beats Duke (I genuflect before the mojo gods here), to see her against A'ja--who is the most experienced, skilled post player in WCBB.

Finally, I don't think the question is whether Z is sufficiently integrated into UConn's motion offense. She sorta is. I think the question is whether she's sufficiently experienced in playing man-to-man defense against a skilled post without fouling out. Of course, Z will have a lot of help--Pheesa, Gabby, or both. But it will still be--if UConn beats Duke--an excellent way of getting a sense of things. THAT question may be the deciding issue in the event (mojo gods, I bow before you!) UConn ends up playing either MissSt or Baylor for all the marbles.

 

[itsasport]

Another way to look at this is they are smart enough to take the easy inside shots when they are available. Why pass it out to Lou or Kia to shoot from 15 to 20 feet when you're standing under the basket? I think one of the things Geno and his teams are better at than most any other is adjusting the way they play as necessary.

Another way of saying it is that UConn takes what their opponent gives them.

 

[Bigboote]

Do you deny that Pheesa didnt play well against the good teams and all of a sudden found her game against inferior opponents?

Yes. Collier's game has been the most impacted by the presence of Stevens. Sharing the inside with Stevens, she shouldn't be expected to have the otherworldly season that she had last year. The beginning of her season was bumpy, but she's improved throughout the season. Her "not playing well" has led to her being second in points per game on the team, but leading in overall points. Second in rebounds, blocked shots, and steals, leading the team in made free throws, and third in assists, many of which have gone to Lou. She's also 22nd in the nation in field-goal percentage. I don't think there's much to complain about there.

And on to your original post, in the first five games, two against top-10 teams, two more against top-20, UConn had five different players lead the team in scoring. Oh, and Lou didn't play in 3.5 of those games. I think even against really good opponents, UConn can weather an off-scoring night by Lou.

 

[#1florida]

I was way ahead of the curve as far as men watching womens college basketball..started when Louisiana Tech was top dog(no pun intended). I have followed UCONN for 20 plus years as I appreciated the way they played the game.
My concern watching them now is they are having a grand time tossing the ball into Z and Pheesa against these over matched teams and their best player just stands around. And when she tries to get position or cuts the lane Z just stares at her. Z shoots the ball almost EVERY time she gets it..which is great against these caliber of teams, but you know what is coming against some teams with bigs.. Pheesa and Z will disappear for the most part. Hopwfully by then they remember how to kick the ball back out. When Z is in the game they do not play UCONN bball in my opinion. This is NOT an attack on Z. Just my observation.

Go Huskies!

I am sure Geno and coaches will appreciate you noticing this.

 

[baggerbob]

Yes. Collier's game has been the most impacted by the presence of Stevens. Sharing the inside with Stevens, she shouldn't be expected to have the otherworldly season that she had last year. The beginning of her season was bumpy, but she's improved throughout the season. Her "not playing well" has led to her being second in points per game on the team, but leading in overall points. Second in rebounds, blocked shots, and steals, leading the team in made free throws, and third in assists, many of which have gone to Lou. She's also 22nd in the nation in field-goal percentage. I don't think there's much to complain about there.

And on to your original post, in the first five games, two against top-10 teams, two more against top-20, UConn had five different players lead the team in scoring. Oh, and Lou didn't play in 3.5 of those games. I think even against really good opponents, UConn can weather an off-scoring night by Lou.

What made Stewie, and Morgan great was they dominated teams inside, which let shooter's like Moriah, Kia, and KML have open looks. The Announcer's on TV always wondered how teams would leave KML so open for three. You double the post so your own big's don't pick up fouls.

 

[bags27]

Of course, Pheesa has had to adjust--still is adjusting--to having Z underneath--just like Stewie wasn't completely comfortable having Pheesa underneath and Pheesa was pulled.

But Pheesa's main problem earlier this season had nothing to do with Z: it was that she was missing open shots, including bunnies.

 

[huskeynut]

Pheesa and Z as legit threats in the paint opens up the floor for Lou, Kia and Crystal. Its the inside - out game at which UConn has no equal. Conversely, the if the outside game is on, it opens up the paint. I don't care who the team is, not one is prepared to defend 5 double digit scorers on the floor at the same time. Now some may want to disagree and feel free to do so, but name the 1 team in WCBB that has 6 players averaging double figures. There isn't one. We have also left Gabby out of the discussion. Gabby does so many things that no other player has. Gabby at the high post is a very difficult weapon to defend.

 

[oldschool]

Yes. Collier's game has been the most impacted by the presence of Stevens. Sharing the inside with Stevens, she shouldn't be expected to have the otherworldly season that she had last year. The beginning of her season was bumpy, but she's improved throughout the season. Her "not playing well" has led to her being second in points per game on the team, but leading in overall points. Second in rebounds, blocked shots, and steals, leading the team in made free throws, and third in assists, many of which have gone to Lou. She's also 22nd in the nation in field-goal percentage. I don't think there's much to complain about there.

And on to your original post, in the first five games, two against top-10 teams, two more against top-20, UConn had five different players lead the team in scoring. Oh, and Lou didn't play in 3.5 of those games. I think even against really good opponents, UConn can weather an off-scoring night by Lou.

We shall see. They both are craving the ball against the lesser teams..Lets see what happens when they play some iron is all i am saying.
And please stop with the she is 1st in this and 2nd in this...Stats mean nothing when you play 20 stiff teams a year...

 

[Los24]

Sometimes a bad question produces a good conversation--like this time.

Let's be clear: neither Z nor Pheesa will "disappear" against the best teams. For one thing, Pheesa doesn't need to get the cutting pass from Z to figure out how to score 20. For another, as part of motion offense, the cutting is often NOT intended to get a return pass: it's also intended to draw some weak side movement to free up Lou or Kia for an open 3.

But I think it's a fair question to ask whether Z has fully developed all her talents in the low post. Clearly she's made remarkable progress, and I'm really looking forward, in the event UConn beats Duke (I genuflect before the mojo gods here), to see her against A'ja--who is the most experienced, skilled post player in WCBB.

Finally, I don't think the question is whether Z is sufficiently integrated into UConn's motion offense. She sorta is. I think the question is whether she's sufficiently experienced in playing man-to-man defense against a skilled post without fouling out. Of course, Z will have a lot of help--Pheesa, Gabby, or both. But it will still be--if UConn beats Duke--an excellent way of getting a sense of things. THAT question may be the deciding issue in the event (mojo gods, I bow before you!) UConn ends up playing either MissSt or Baylor for all the marbles.

Best response on thread because why have a board to discuss the team if everyone is going to make it an attack on Geno or the players by questioning anything. I think the original poster highlighted something I noticed too. When Z catches the ball she immediately looks to score and not scope best shot. Lou has passed up shots where she could have taken it because she is getting the best shot while also keeping everyone involved. One on one Z had the advantage but at times she was doubled and did not look for who might have a better shot.

Regarding everyone else throwing stats, including those for Pheesa, most of our players have flaws and they showed them in the final four. No one is above reproach. That said, and like Geno said, "I don't worry about Pheesa." To make a counter point to the original poster, Pheesa actually lead the team in assists over the first two tournament games.

Sorry if this post is choppy, on airplane headed north (blah.)

 

[MSGRET]

If Azura can score with reasonable efficiency against McCowan or Brown (and that may be entirely possible), then she should try to do that as often as she can. Imagine what it would do to the Baylor or MSU defense if they had to bring a doubleteam to stop Azura!

If it turns out that isn’t possible (which I doubt), then Geno will shift the main offensive responsibility to the other players.

But my expectation is that if Azura’s minutes are limited in those games, it will be because of foul trouble or bad defense, not because of offensive inefficiency or a reluctance to pass the ball to perimeter shooters.

Azura has a significant mobility advantage over both McCowan and Brown, and Napheesa has the same advantage over Lauren Cox. I don’t think that they will have difficulty scoring against those players, although they may have trouble defending and rebounding against them. I think that foul trouble or an inability to clear the defensive boards are the two most plausible ways that UConn could lose to those teams.

You just have to hope that Dee Kanter is not officiating, she always calls those phantom fouls.

 

[HuskyNan]

I disagree. You will see how this shakes out. Pheesa and Z will play like they are playing against Q again....will keep shooting, especially Z...she cant help herself.
And it will cost them. I hope i am wrong. But i doubt it.

I hope they play exactly like the way they played the Q.

Napheesa- 23 points (9-11), 8 reb, 1 block, 4 assists, 2 TOS
Azurá - 14 points (5-6), 1 reb, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 2 TOS

 

[Charliebball]

I was way ahead of the curve as far as men watching womens college basketball..started when Louisiana Tech was top dog(no pun intended). I have followed UCONN for 20 plus years as I appreciated the way they played the game.
My concern watching them now is they are having a grand time tossing the ball into Z and Pheesa against these over matched teams and their best player just stands around. And when she tries to get position or cuts the lane Z just stares at her. Z shoots the ball almost EVERY time she gets it..which is great against these caliber of teams, but you know what is coming against some teams with bigs.. Pheesa and Z will disappear for the most part. Hopwfully by then they remember how to kick the ball back out. When Z is in the game they do not play UCONN bball in my opinion. This is NOT an attack on Z. Just my observation.

Go Huskies!

I'd be more concerned about Azura's ability to dominate against opposing tall, athletic posts...........Duke at least has some size so let's see how well she handles it..........

 

[vtcwbuff]

UCONN is the ultimate "Pick" your poison team.
If you try to run with us, we bury you in a ton of points.
If you slow it down, the score might be closer...and we still win by 25.
If you overplay our guards, we have two post players who are pretty much unstoppable.
If you clog the post, we have the best three point shooters in the nation.
Good luck choosing, hemlock...arsenic...cyanide.....take your pick!

Or they lose by 2.

 

[trisailin]

I was way ahead of the curve as far as men watching womens college basketball..started when Louisiana Tech was top dog(no pun intended). I have followed UCONN for 20 plus years as I appreciated the way they played the game.
My concern watching them now is they are having a grand time tossing the ball into Z and Pheesa against these over matched teams and their best player just stands around. And when she tries to get position or cuts the lane Z just stares at her. Z shoots the ball almost EVERY time she gets it..which is great against these caliber of teams, but you know what is coming against some teams with bigs.. Pheesa and Z will disappear for the most part. Hopwfully by then they remember how to kick the ball back out. When Z is in the game they do not play UCONN bball in my opinion. This is NOT an attack on Z. Just my observation.

Go Huskies!

For somebody who claims to have been watching UCONN for over 20 years, it seems a key lesson has been missed. Do you really think Geno would let a player just stay out there and shoot away when he's give different instructions? As far as I can see, that is NOT the UCONN way.

 

[my2cents]

Or they lose by 2.

I was talking about the current team....34-0.....no losses yet...hence the ZERO

 

[drweo]

For somebody who claims to have been watching UCONN for over 20 years, it seems a key lesson has been missed. Do you really think Geno would let a player just stay out there and shoot away when he's give different instructions? As far as I can see, that is NOT the UCONN way.

I was thinking along these lines too. Changing the focus a little to underline the point, does anyone seriously think that Coach Auriemma has told Z. "Dont ever take another three!"???? I think her instructions are clear for threes and shooting in general. Are there times she might do better by passing out of a double/triple team? Sure. But her shooting percentage and points say she's doing what she's supposed to be doing.

 

[scubadog]

Of course, Pheesa has had to adjust--still is adjusting--to having Z underneath--just like Stewie wasn't completely comfortable having Pheesa underneath and Pheesa was pulled.

But Pheesa's main problem earlier this season had nothing to do with Z: it was that she was missing open shots, including bunnies.

I thought Phees and Z worked pretty well together last weekend. Going to be tough for any team to keep pace if those two keep it going.

 

[DEpup]

I think everyone is a little right. Does Z still have some work to do to become the quintessential UConn point center like Dolson, Tuck, and Gabby who can run the offense from the elbow with great passes? Yes and I bet that will be her biggest growth next year. Did Pheesa have to get used to Z sharing her space? yes. Have they shown that they are getting it going together late in the season and being able to set each other up for good shots? Yes. Is Z an amazing scorer and will most likely be at the end of good passing with a shot close to tje basket? Yes Is that still UConn basketball? Yes Kara Wolters comes to mind.

 

[Rema64]

oldschool
I'm impressed that on day one of joining this board you could illicit such a stimulating conversation.

 

[JoePgh]

Since Z got to be comfortable in the paint, my sense is that Geno has wanted the offense to center around her while she is on the floor. The first option is always to throw it in to her (as was the case when Tina was a junior/senior). That means that the defense has to focus first on either stopping the post feed or stopping Z when she gets the ball. That concentration of the defense in the paint allows the perimeter shooters to get open more easily.

Can Z pass the ball out of a double team as well as Stef Dolson could in the latter part of her UConn career? No. (It wasn't Tina's strength either.) Azura will probably perfect that skill next year, but this year it is not a strong point for her. But I can't imagine that any defensive strategy against UConn would be to allow passes into her and then trap her so that she can neither score nor pass to teammates. That would be a very risky approach for any opponent. So that means that they will focus on stopping the post feed (which means clogging the paint and leaving Crystal / Kia / KLS at least somewhat open), or stopping Z from scoring once she gets the ball. Given her likely mobility advantage over her defenders, that is not a promising defensive strategy either.

Also worth noting: Z is only on the floor about half the time. When she is on the bench (at the beginning of each half), UConn is a completely different team with a completely different offense. So the opponent really needs two defensive plans, one against UConn-with-Z and one against the "small ball" that UConn plays when she is not on the floor. That's a lot to prepare in a short amount of prep time.

 

[maccca3232]

The quickest way to compare overall shooting stats is TS%.

Attached are stats for returners for last 2 years.

 

[DEpup]

Since Z got to be comfortable in the paint, my sense is that Geno has wanted the offense to center around her while she is on the floor. The first option is always to throw it in to her (as was the case when Tina was a junior/senior). That means that the defense has to focus first on either stopping the post feed or stopping Z when she gets the ball. That concentration of the defense in the paint allows the perimeter shooters to get open more easily.

Can Z pass the ball out of a double team as well as Stef Dolson could in the latter part of her UConn career? No. (It wasn't Tina's strength either.) Azura will probably perfect that skill next year, but this year it is not a strong point for her. But I can't imagine that any defensive strategy against UConn would be to allow passes into her and then trap her so that she can neither score nor pass to teammates. That would be a very risky approach for any opponent. So that means that they will focus on stopping the post feed (which means clogging the paint and leaving Crystal / Kia / KLS at least somewhat open), or stopping Z from scoring once she gets the ball. Given her likely mobility advantage over her defenders, that is not a promising defensive strategy either.

Also worth noting: Z is only on the floor about half the time. When she is on the bench (at the beginning of each half), UConn is a completely different team with a completely different offense. So the opponent really needs two defensive plans, one against UConn-with-Z and one against the "small ball" that UConn plays when she is not on the floor. That's a lot to prepare in a short amount of prep time.

Great point. Geno has always said that the "6th man" should be able to come in and change the game which as you point out Z does.

 

[MJL243]

Z shoots the ball almost EVERY time she gets it

Pheesa and Z will disappear for the most part

Stats mean nothing when you play 20 stiff teams a year...

To challenge these opinions, I ran the numbers of UConn's top six players vs ranked teams (to eliminate the "20 stiff teams").
UConn played twelve games against ranked opponents, and here are their assists per forty minutes:

Gabby - 7.35
Crystal - 5.24
Azuré - 3.85
Napheesa - 3.79
Kia - 2.97
Katie Lou - 2.61

How is it possible for two ball-hogs to have such great numbers?

 

[bags27]

Awesome work, MJL243! Give yourself a big assist!

 

[Woof 101]

I was way ahead of the curve as far as men watching womens college basketball..started when Louisiana Tech was top dog(no pun intended). I have followed UCONN for 20 plus years as I appreciated the way they played the game.
My concern watching them now is they are having a grand time tossing the ball into Z and Pheesa against these over matched teams and their best player just stands around. And when she tries to get position or cuts the lane Z just stares at her. Z shoots the ball almost EVERY time she gets it..which is great against these caliber of teams, but you know what is coming against some teams with bigs.. Pheesa and Z will disappear for the most part. Hopwfully by then they remember how to kick the ball back out. When Z is in the game they do not play UCONN bball in my opinion. This is NOT an attack on Z. Just my observation.

Go Huskies!

Welcome oldschool... My calculations have you coming on board around 1995, not surprised. This with your pinpoint women's basketball acumen. While surprised you have not shared your deep knowledge of the game sooner, all are welcome on this forum.
While you may find many insightful comments to your topic you will also get some sarcasm, tongue in cheek or simply silly responses....None of that from myself, I am one to worry about your fears and take it seriously.
Here's what I got for you on this geno.auriemma@uconn.edu Get the message where it belongs!

 

[oldschool]

oldschool
I'm impressed that on day one of joining this board you could illicit such a stimulating conversation.

Honestly, wasnt looking to troll. I watch their games and have a problem watching KLS stand around and they just dump it into Z and Pheesa....They obviously should take advantage of the mismatches but KLS needs to be more involved against the better teams...Z getting too comfortable just shooting.

 

[oldschool]

To challenge these opinions, I ran the numbers of UConn's top six players vs ranked teams (to eliminate the "20 stiff teams").
UConn played twelve games against ranked opponents, and here are their assists per forty minutes:

Gabby - 7.35
Crystal - 5.24
Azuré - 3.85
Napheesa - 3.79
Kia - 2.97
Katie Lou - 2.61

How is it possible for two ball-hogs to have such great numbers?

there are lies damn lies and statistics... Please be more creative.
Stats mean nothing to people with understandings of the games.
I will take the eye test any day of the week.
Let me stress that i am a huge Huskies fan, My friends constantly knock me for watching wcbb. I just appreciate the way they play(most of the time)