SC has 11 players on their roster. Minus Cardoso, there will be 10 available for UCONN, not 12. It will be 10 against 9 therefore.
UConn will have 9 available. The starting five, plus a bench of Q and Ice, and then Ines and Amari who are basically there for cheerleading and mop up duty.
SCar will have 10 available. The starting five with Ashlyn Watkins starting in place of Cardosa, plus a 3 woman primary bench of Fulwiley (1/2), Tessa Johnson (2/3), and Sania Feagin (4/5). The deep bench of Sakima Walker (5) and Saynya Jah (3/4) are there basically for cheerleading and mop-up duty.
Back at you! I look forward to playing against South Carolina every year and I hope the series continues. Dawn and Geno are two of the best coaches in the game and both programs are excellent. South Carolina is an excellent team and no doubt it will be challenging for the Huskies, particularly in South Carolina. I'd rather play you guys with Cardosa available, but we have our work cut out for us regardless.
This is what I think makes it possible for UConn to squeak out a win.
I’m not as worried about the height issue as I am about the experience difference. Everyone in your starting five played last year and has a national championship. UConn starts two true freshmen and brings two freshmen off the bench to complement 3 seniors. I don’t worry about the seniors being overwhelmed by the moment but the freshmen are another story
Only makes it worse if they lose ..
Well, Poa Poa and Chloe Kitts don't have championships, Two freshmen are in our guard rotation and starter Kitts at 4 is little more than a freshman. But you are right, they will be used to the friendly crowd of 18,000, if not the hoopla of the moment. Your newbies will be facing a huge, hostile crowd for the first time. (or have y'all played a road game against a huge crowd this year.)
Yes but we get blown out early. See the UCLA and Texas games. It’s not really about South Carolina, it’s about UConn and how uncompetitive we are against good teams.
Fortunately for them, I don’t think it’s likely to happen! The disparity between the two teams is just too great right now. What a story it would be though!
Obviously, we do have a chance to win this game! Unfortunately, it’s a very small chance and requires a lot of things to go well for us. One thing that is absolutely necessary is that we avoid falling behind by more than 8-10 points throughout the game. We especially need to be strong at the beginning of both halves. The odds are very much against us but if we can somehow be within striking distance at the end, Paige could win this for us.
I find it quite amusing that even though they (SC) have every advantage in this game, many commentators are clearly a little nervous about this game. I’m unsure why, as they (SC) are healthy, have a huge numbers and talent advantage, are playing at home, and are simply better at this time. This would be a monumental upset, hence the nervousness I suppose, as it would not be a good look for them to lose this game. The sleek, healthy, favorite son losing to the old, balding, slightly paunchy has beens in a walking boot, is not something they wish to contemplate.
Aaliyah is also free to put up another 33 points, too
Her match up with Ashlyn Watkins has me concerned. Aaliyah is a smart veteran with lots of athletic ability to go with her skills. Ashlyn is super athletic but lacking a bit in maturity. She frequently gets overcharged and can make silly fouls. Plus, she can get overly emotional on questionable calls which can lead her to compound a mistake.
UConn plays three points: Nika Muhl is primary lead guard, freshman KK Arnold, and Paige, who’s a point forward this year. Freshman Ashlynn Shade, another guard, can also handle the ball
We have no other option at this point in the season. While South Carolina should be able to exploit that match up with ease I am more concerned with our in ability to contain penetration against South Carolinas back court. I imagine we’ll have to put Nika on Hall leaving Johnson or PoaPoa to exploit the matchup with Shade.
I agree, unfortunately- and with rebounding too. Not having Aubrey really hurts in this match-up.
You know SCar a lot better than me. Say Ashyln gets in foul trouble for SCar -- who replaces her and how do they stack up against AE? Assuming all other things equal.
I agree with much of what you say, but not that SC has a huge talent advantage. Nobody on SC is as good as Paige or Edwards. Now “huge numbers” advantage - that I agree with. And SC’s numbers are mostly very athletic. Much more athletic than we are.Obviously, we do have a chance to win this game! Unfortunately, it’s a very small chance and requires a lot of things to go well for us. One thing that is absolutely necessary is that we avoid falling behind by more than 8-10 points throughout the game. We especially need to be strong at the beginning of both halves. The odds are very much against us but if we can somehow be within striking distance at the end, Paige could win this for us.
I find it quite amusing that even though they (SC) have every advantage in this game, many commentators are clearly a little nervous about this game. I’m unsure why, as they (SC) are healthy, have a huge numbers and talent advantage, are playing at home, and are simply better at this time. This would be a monumental upset, hence the nervousness I suppose, as it would not be a good look for them to lose this game. The sleek, healthy, favorite son losing to the old, balding, slightly paunchy has beens in a walking boot, is not something they wish to contemplate.
I think those in the know would still be extremely impressed if UConn won with all of their injured players out....
