UConn-South Carolina postgame thread

[LwrcasefaN]

I believe Cardoso had 6 fouls.

She did indeed. Never saw that before.

 

[HopJim]

Without sounding like a Pollyanna, this game just confirmed that UConn can win against SC. UConn, playing to its strengths, will win. SC is a dominate team and if allowed to use its muscle, will win. Great game for women's basketball fans to watch.
I viewed today's game as a well-played game for SC; OK for UConn. In the playoffs, if the two teams play again, I don't expect:
-Edwards to only get 4 rebounds. All American quality game by her today but pushed out of position so many times. Credit SC but doubt it would happen again.
-Geno will not get a technical at a key time. Gave SC 3-5 points that turned out to be critical.
-UConn will not get (2) 5 second calls and one step in (i.e. by Aubrey) turnovers.
-Nika will have more than 4 assists. UConn will move throughout next game.
-UConn will have another 3-point shooter the next time. If Azzi, forecast but she and Lou will have big games. SC does not have two defenders that can shut both down at same time. I will not comment on the beating Lou took. Suspect Geno will make sure one way or another her getting hammered shows up in fouls.
-Geno will not let UConn's big guards get caught under the basket helping out. UConn was beaten under the boards but killed on the long rebounds. UConn's guards need to release to go after long rebounds. 1-2 more rebounds could have been the difference.

This is a very different UConn than I have seen in several years. Virtually all of the players can go one on one and create their own shots if needed. Boston and the other SC bigs are excellent but I don't view their defense as strong enough to keep a hot shooting UC team from winning if/when Azzi and Caroline come back.

 

[HuskyNan]

This and Lou’s hesi layup were crazy

Can’t find that online

 

[Conndog]

I agree that UCONN got good position on the boards but they were so much taller they just went over our rebounder. Geno can't take out AE and put in a 6'2 player who can't score into the game. She played over a full quarter and other than fouls didn't get into the scorebook.

`The coaches should tell AP that

I wish Geno would tell AP that she has to drive hard to the hoop and put it up strong. If you get blocked - fine, if you get called for a charge - fine. if you miss the shot - fine, but no dribbling into the lane and hesitating.

There was one play when she got past her defender and started towards the basket, then she stopped and passed out of it- the SC defender was able to recover. I was yelling for her to keep attacking. Maybe next time.

 

[HuskyNan]

C'mon, Nan. That missed handoff was indefensible, and should be a legitimate discussion point.

It’s been discussed ad nauseum. it was a bad call and the South Carolina fans agree. Now what? It can’t be changed so now it’s just complaining

 

[Papa33]

Could not agree more. I stopped watching the NBA decades ago because it’s no longer basketball but indoor rugby. If the NCAA doesn’t address the issue of freedom of movement and start calling fouls when defenders grab offensive players, especially when they don’t possess the ball, I’ll stop watching the collegiate women. What was played today is not basketball.

L-o-o-n-g ago II stopped attending or watching men's pro basketball for the reasons enumerated above. Then gave up on men's college basketball for the same reason. That's after coaching boy's and then girl's hoops for close to 35 years, the last of them in the New England prepschool leagues (like Caronline's). Got tired of muscle and one-on-one hoops. Our Huskies play the skill game, still a beautiful team game!

 

[jdote33]

Aubrey says “Freeze!”, lol. I loved this play

unbelievable hesi. i thought she carried until I saw the replay. Aubrey is so talented. Totally outplayed Beal.

on a side note, don't they win if Dorka scores a bit more. I'm rewatching the game and Dorka is everywhere in this first quarter. I know she probably expects more of herself. I think that's a positive.

 

[Longtime fan]

Patterson was constantly open at the key - this is DeBerry's happy spot for 3-pointers or 15 footers. Understand that we needed Patterson's muscle underneath, but at 6'2" she was overpowered much of the time. Would have liked to have seen what DeBerry could have contributed, particularly on offense.

I think I finally found out ( a possible reason) why Patterson never shoots. She is legally blind in one eye. And this is a hereditary condition she has been battling for years. I first heard of this only today, but I have been asking ( this forum ) all season why she plays in
such a " limited" fashion, after having been a top HS recruit? No one ever mentioned her vision limitation, so I gather that many on this forum are also unaware of it.

I am told that being legally blind in one eye reduces "field vision" by about 30%. So perhaps she doesn't see the basket clearly enough to make shots? Or she doesn't have the confidence a fully sighted person would have?

We are not going to be informed, of course, if this condition is holding her back. But I am going to believe it is until I see her prove us wrong, by draining open shots . Has anyone seen her HS reel? Did she make outside shots or was most of her scoring from underneath?

I believe there was a game earlier in this season ( Big East, I think ) where she made two 8 footers, but I wasn't watching at the time. So I have never seen her take, or make, a shot. I have seen her make a lay-in or two, but she also often misses them.

In any case, basketball would seem a particularly daunting sport to play with limited field vision. So we must commend her for courage and wish her only the best. I, for one, will stop criticizing her play.

 

[heffe]

Only one official missed the handoff - the official administering the inbound pass. The other two have other areas of responsibility to watch. If all three are watching the inbound pass, no one is paying attention to what is happening on the baseline, in the paint or at the 3pt line.

That being said, the inbounding official clearly missed it, and I guarantee he'll regret it when viewing the film. He and I worked high school games together back in the day. I had, and still have, great respect for his body of work. He's a class act, a stand-up guy, and will be haunted by it.

So let it be writen so let it be said

 

[jaydee602]

OK, I finally found a silver lining for today's loss: We won't have to beat South Carolina TWICE this season. That might have a been an unsurmountable task!

 

[Boreifs]

Without sounding like a Pollyanna, this game just confirmed that UConn can win against SC. UConn, playing to its strengths, will win. SC is a dominate team and if allowed to use its muscle, will win. Great game for women's basketball fans to watch.
I viewed today's game as a well-played game for SC; OK for UConn. In the playoffs, if the two teams play again, I don't expect:
-Edwards to only get 4 rebounds. All American quality game by her today but pushed out of position so many times. Credit SC but doubt it would happen again.
-Geno will not get a technical at a key time. Gave SC 3-5 points that turned out to be critical.
-UConn will not get (2) 5 second calls and one step in (i.e. by Aubrey) turnovers.
-Nika will have more than 4 assists. UConn will move throughout next game.
-UConn will have another 3-point shooter the next time. If Azzi, forecast but she and Lou will have big games. SC does not have two defenders that can shut both down at same time. I will not comment on the beating Lou took. Suspect Geno will make sure one way or another her getting hammered shows up in fouls.
-Geno will not let UConn's big guards get caught under the basket helping out. UConn was beaten under the boards but killed on the long rebounds. UConn's guards need to release to go after long rebounds. 1-2 more rebounds could have been the difference.

This is a very different UConn than I have seen in several years. Virtually all of the players can go one on one and create their own shots if needed. Boston and the other SC bigs are excellent but I don't view their defense as strong enough to keep a hot shooting UC team from winning if/when Azzi and Caroline come back.

Very astute. Just adding that Geno admitted in the postgame presser that one on one play was the game plan. Even Nika got involved.

 

[Geew1992]

 

[SVCBeercats]

Geno didn't help them at all with his substitutes

Right now Geno has exactly 5 basketball healthy players who can compete in a game with South Carolina. The two substitutes he needs for March are Azzi and Caroline. Ines, Amari, and Ayanna are not qualified subs for such games. Ayanna - 14 min. 0 pts. 0 rebs. 0 asst. 1 stl. 1 blk. 2 to. pf 3

 

[HuskyNan]

Right now Geno has exactly 5 basketball healthy players who can compete in a game with South Carolina. The two substitutes he needs for March are Azzi and Caroline. Ines, Amari, and Ayanna are not qualified subs for such games. Ayanna - 14 min. 0 pts. 0 rebs. 0 asst. 1 stl. 1 blk. 2 to. pf 3

Ayanna played well today. She bodied up Boston and boxed her out pretty wel. Ayanna also caused a couple tie ups and she defended well. None of that shows up in the box score

 

[Wonder 12]

Could not agree more. I stopped watching the NBA decades ago because it’s no longer basketball but indoor rugby. If the NCAA doesn’t address the issue of freedom of movement and start calling fouls when defenders grab offensive players, especially when they don’t possess the ball, I’ll stop watching the collegiate women. What was played today is not basketball.

I feel the same way.

 

[OldSchooler]

Only one official missed the handoff - the official administering the inbound pass. The other two have other areas of responsibility to watch. If all three are watching the inbound pass, no one is paying attention to what is happening on the baseline, in the paint or at the 3pt line.

That being said, the inbounding official clearly missed it, and I guarantee he'll regret it when viewing the film. He and I worked high school games together back in the day. I had, and still have, great respect for his body of work. He's a class act, a stand-up guy, and will be haunted by it.

My question is technical, and you're one who can answer it. Is this not a "reviewable" call?

 

[Redux]

Ayanna played well today. She bodied up Boston and boxed her out pretty wel. Ayanna also caused a couple tie ups and she defended well. None of that shows up in the box score

Both your post and the one you are replying to are true. I have been a big fan of Patterson but right now, despite the positives you point out well, she is not ready for a game at this level except for emergency. A month from now she could be; she's close (but that was true 5-6 weeks ago).

 

[uconnfan68]

Ayanna played well today. She bodied up Boston and boxed her out pretty wel. Ayanna also caused a couple tie ups and she defended well. None of that shows up in the box score

To be fair, one of the TOs was trying to pass to someone (Aubrey) who should have been cutting to the basket. My take.

 

[Bone Dog]

Wasn't it a relief not to see a lot of flopping! These are both real teams who play real basketball. Not cheap shot artists. Sure, it was rough at times, but other than the missed call on the handoff, I don't think the whistles made a difference.

Now, about that handoff....

 

[donalddoowop]

Geno didn’t have enough time outs to sub in every other possession

When the foul was committed the clock would stop. Sub then. Then, after UConn got the ball, sub on the next dead ball. It could have worked at least twice. As for cohenzone, who went in after players fouled out?

 

[Bone Dog]

Was this the best game in the country all year long? I think so!!!

 

[darkstar1]

Wasn't it a relief not to see a lot of flopping! These are both real teams who play real basketball. Not cheap shot artists. Sure, it was rough at times, but other than the missed call on the handoff, I don't think the whistles made a difference.

Now, about that handoff....

Totally disagree. In a close game like this, the failure to call even two obvious offensive fouls on Boston and calling them blocks, was huge. Then add the fouls that were uncalled when Lou was mugged and the handoff, and that could easily be the game.

 

[Bone Dog]

Totally disagree. In a close game like this, the failure to call even two obvious offensive fouls on Boston and calling them blocks, was huge. Then add the fouls that were uncalled when Lou was mugged and the handoff, and that could easily be the game.

Totally different question. I'm not talking about actual fouls. I'm talking about fake fouls -- hence the term flopping. I was relieved the game was free of this baloney. Neither team was interested in stealing an advantage that way.

 

[jaydee602]

Ayanna played well today. She bodied up Boston and boxed her out pretty wel. Ayanna also caused a couple tie ups and she defended well. None of that shows up in the box score

I thought Ayanna played with confidence & determination on defense. She was hesitant on offense, but that will improve with time.

 

[GoChips20]

One of the craziest facts about today’s game is that UConn shot 52% against the nation’s best defense and still lost the game.

To be clear, that’s not a dig at UConn. Can’t remember the last time somebody shot 45% against SC. Pretty incredible offense today.

 

[MSGRET]

And according to "everyone" (well, not the BY), SC was supposed to win. So there was a decent amount of pressure on them before the game, and as it was close for a majority of the game, more pressure. For UConn, it would have been nice to win, but now they have a bevy of stuff to improve upon, regardless of who is playing.

There were more Boneyarder's favoring SC in their Prognostications for this game then the one's favoring UConn.

 

[MSGRET]

Anyone ever keep the game books? I'm curious how many fouls will be contributed to Cardoso. 5 or 6? I thought that technical fouls counted as a personal foul.

6

 

[MSGRET]

I watched the replay and tried to count all of the holds and hip checks on Lou, the best that I could come up with was 22 times, 7 each in the first two quarters, with 5 in the third and 3 in the fourth. So maybe Geno's T did help some, but it would have been better if he had done it sometime in the 2nd quarter.

 

[JellyBean]

Like the rest of the Yard, I am very proud of this team. Came pretty close to pulling off the win today. But I was impressed with how the team, especially Aaliyah, did not back down from South Carolina. The team had a nice game plan on the defensive end and offensively, they went at South Carolina. Aaliyah had one of those "I am coming at you" games. She made a huge statement in this game. I am proud of the team.

 

[Littlemin]

She had a really strong offensive game but there are two ends of the court when you hoop, her complete lack of presence on the defensive boards was a big factor in the game.

So for those who dislike the truth, Edwards getting only 2 defensive boards had no affect on the game? Why is objective truth such an anathema to some? I thought this was a discussion board, I could care less about the “dislike” reactions, that is childish IMO without some type of counter argument or opinion, because frankly, I thought it was a huge factor in the loss; as I think her points were huge in keeping Uconn in the game. In my mind both are very true. Some of you seem so used to Uconn only winning, all objectivity is lost, and blaming refs is the only point worth attributing to any and all close games and losses.