UConn stats.... Sarah Strong scoring analysis...

[DavidinNaples]

The comparison between Maya and Sarah's first 20 games got me thinking... So here is an analysis of Sarah's scoring during the first 21 games. I divided the season so far into three 7 game blocks and compared how Sarah scored in each game/block. The punch line is she is consistent and improving. That should scare UConn opponents..!

Overall
Sarah has scored 370 points, 2nd to Paige's 372.
Her per game average is 17.6
Her low total was 6 points against St. John's. She only took 5 shots.
The high total was 29 scored against Iowa State when UConn scored 101 points. (Everybody ate..!!)

Points
First 7 games = 109 points on 54.6% shooting (47-86)
Middle 7 games = 132 pts on 57.1% shooting. (52-91)
Last 7 games = 129 points on 65% shooting. (52-80)

3 point shooting
First 7 games = 32.4% on 12-37 shooting
Next 7 games = 37.5% on 15-40 shooting
Last 7 games = 45% on 9-20 shooting

Scoring in losses
Against Notre Dame =14 points (6-12) and 2-7 on threes. (Game #9)
Against So. California = 22 points (8-15) and 1-6 on threes. (Game #12)

Hard not to notice Sarah started well, got better and is really still improving. Like Paige, she needs to shoot more and more. Notice Sarah took 20 less threes in the last 7 games vs middle 7 games. But she made 45% vs 38%. She also took 11 less shots overall. The next 7 games she should shoot 100 times vs only 80 in last 7. Pretty sure Geno agrees....

Thoughts?
Go Huskies..!!

 

[Rowdy831]

She is a great player. Again she is limited by playing in the Big East because she basically gets to play half a game every night. I also don't like her being a post player when having her on the perimeter with Azzi and Paige gives them the best chance to make threes but KC isn't a post.

Geno has really puzzled me the last couple years with his player groupings.

 

[Bone Dog]

Hard not to notice Sarah started well, got better and is really still improving.

I’m with you and very optimistic about Sarah’s future. But it’s also hard not to notice that the final 7 games was the weakest stretch on the schedule. The middle 7 was the toughest, with 4 ranked teams, so it’s good to see that she kept improving even in that stretch.

The next 7 games she should shoot 100 times vs only 80 in last 7.

I agree, though with the caveat that she needs to get her shots and not just force anything up, and she needs to avoid being rushed. That requires help from her teammates and her coaches. This also applies to Azzi Ash and Kaitlyn.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Strong's national stat rankings as of 1/27


#1 in Player Efficiency Rating

#1 in Win Shares and Defensive Win Shares

#4 in Offensive Win Shares

#1 in Win Shares per 40 Mins

#1 in Box Plus/Minus

#2 in Offensive Box Plus/Minus and Defensive Box Plus/Minus

#8 in Offensive Rating

#1 in Defensive Rating

#7 in Effective Field Goal Percentage

#12 in True Shooting Percentage

#2 in 2-PT Shooting Percentage

 

[darrell]

Strong's national stat rankings as of 1/27


#1 in Player Efficiency Rating

#1 in Win Shares and Defensive Win Shares

#4 in Offensive Win Shares

#1 in Win Shares per 40 Mins

#1 in Box Plus/Minus

#2 in Offensive Box Plus/Minus and Defensive Box Plus/Minus

#8 in Offensive Rating

#1 in Defensive Rating

#7 in Effective Field Goal Percentage

#12 in True Shooting Percentage

#2 in 2-PT Shooting Percentage

I’d be really shocked if she’s not 1 of 10 WBCA All-Americans.

 

[packwrap]

She is a great player. Again she is limited by playing in the Big East because she basically gets to play half a game every night. I also don't like her being a post player when having her on the perimeter with Azzi and Paige gives them the best chance to make threes but KC isn't a post.

Being a front court player at UConn does not mean you are trapped down low. On offense the 4and5 both have flexibility to be both in the paint, and all the way out at the 3 PT line. The forward on the corner, and center at top of the key. Sarah can shoot plenty of 3s while playing both 4 and 5.

On defense the 4 and 5 have to follow the player they guard. If it is someone like Betts, they will defend her every minute in the paint. If it is someone like Westbeld, they have to guard her both inside and outside when she takes 3 PT shots.

 

[PJCLaw]

I’m with you and very optimistic about Sarah’s future. But it’s also hard not to notice that the final 7 games was the weakest stretch on the schedule. The middle 7 was the toughest, with 4 ranked teams, so it’s good to see that she kept improving even in that stretch.


I agree, though with the caveat that she needs to get her shots and not just force anything up, and she needs to avoid being rushed. That requires help from her teammates and her coaches. This also applies to Azzi Ash and Kaitlyn.

I beg you to find more than 2 or 3 instances when SS was rushed to do anything, she just doesn't get rushed and that's what makes her so elite. She plays like a Junior or senior, without getting sped up and taking what she gets, but with the ability to create her own shot. I have watched 19 out of the 21 games they have played this season and not one time have I saw or said, SS forced that shot or was rushed!

 

[Bone Dog]

I beg you to find more than 2 or 3 instances when SS was rushed to do anything, she just doesn't get rushed and that's what makes her so elite. She plays like a Junior or senior, without getting sped up and taking what she gets, but with the ability to create her own shot. I have watched 19 out of the 21 games they have played this season and not one time have I saw or said, SS forced that shot or was rushed!

Yes, but that's with her not trying to take 15 or more shots per game. That was the context of my remark, namely the advice that she should shoot a lot more. I agree, that as she's currently playing, she doesn't look rushed and she doesn't force bad shots. I want to keep it that way.

 

[PvP]

Strong's national stat rankings as of 1/27


#1 in Player Efficiency Rating

#1 in Win Shares and Defensive Win Shares

#4 in Offensive Win Shares

#1 in Win Shares per 40 Mins

#1 in Box Plus/Minus

#2 in Offensive Box Plus/Minus and Defensive Box Plus/Minus

#8 in Offensive Rating

#1 in Defensive Rating

#7 in Effective Field Goal Percentage

#12 in True Shooting Percentage

#2 in 2-PT Shooting Percentage

How is she not in POY contention with numbers like those? And she is just half way through her Freshman year. The one thing holding her back? Geno would tell you in a heartbeat- she doesn't shoot enough!

 

[Next 12]

Being a front court player at UConn does not mean you are trapped down low. On offense the 4and5 both have flexibility to be both in the paint, and all the way out at the 3 PT line. The forward on the corner, and center at top of the key. Sarah can shoot plenty of 3s while playing both 4 and 5.

On defense the 4 and 5 have to follow the player they guard. If it is someone like Betts, they will defend her every minute in the paint. If it is someone like Westbeld, they have to guard her both inside and outside when she takes 3 PT shots.

Betts will be a handful, she was 14/ 15 Sunday and 4/5 in free throws. JANA will be the key to stop Betts or double team her as much as possible, if we get to play UCLA in the NC.Sarah will and Ice will have to help also. I have confidence that Uconn will be ready if that happens. GO HUSKIES!!!!!

 

[VA Huskie]

Strong's national stat rankings as of 1/27


#1 in Player Efficiency Rating

#1 in Win Shares and Defensive Win Shares

#4 in Offensive Win Shares

#1 in Win Shares per 40 Mins

#1 in Box Plus/Minus

#2 in Offensive Box Plus/Minus and Defensive Box Plus/Minus

#8 in Offensive Rating

#1 in Defensive Rating

#7 in Effective Field Goal Percentage

#12 in True Shooting Percentage

#2 in 2-PT Shooting Percentage

I wonder where JuJu stands on those stats? Admittedly, I don’t know exactly what many of them mean☹️

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I wonder where JuJu stands on those stats? Admittedly, I don’t know exactly what many of them mean☹️

Watkins is

3rd in Win Shares

4th in Defensive Win Shares

5th in Win Shares per 40 mins

Just outside the top-10 in PER

4th in Box Plus/Minus

6th in Offensive Box Plus/Minus

7th in Defensive Box Plus/Minus

5th in Defensive Rating

 

[PvP]

Watkins is

3rd in Win Shares

4th in Defensive Win Shares

5th in Win Shares per 40 mins

Just outside the top-10 in PER

4th in Box Plus/Minus

6th in Offensive Box Plus/Minus

7th in Defensive Box Plus/Minus

5th in Defensive Rating

Thanks for the Watkins numbers. They simply don't compare with Sarah's. Sorry to lean on your willingness to provide such great stats, but I am not so sorry that I won't in fact ask for similar stats and rankings for Hildago, Betts and yes, even Paige!

 

[VA Huskie]

Watkins is

3rd in Win Shares

4th in Defensive Win Shares

5th in Win Shares per 40 mins

Just outside the top-10 in PER

4th in Box Plus/Minus

6th in Offensive Box Plus/Minus

7th in Defensive Box Plus/Minus

5th in Defensive Rating

Thank you! So basically, according to these statistics, Sarah is a better player. That’s why I asked the question - I figured SS might be better. Hope the people who vote for All Americans look at stats like these.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Thanks for the Watkins numbers. They simply don't compare with Sarah's. Sorry to lean on your willingness to provide such great stats, but I am not so sorry that I won't in fact ask for similar stats and rankings for Hildago, Betts and yes, even Paige!

Paige:

#5 in Player Efficiency Rating

#5 in Win Shares

Tied for #4 in Offensive Win Shares

#2 in Win Shares per 40 mins

#2 in Box Plus/Minus

#1 in Offensive Box Plus/Minus

#6 in Offensive Rating

Top-15 in Defensive Box Plus/Minus, Effective Field Goal Percentage, and True Shooting Percentage

 

[PvP]

Thank you, I'm sure many here will find your numbers very revealing.