UConn stats... Z's numbers match Katie Lou's...

[JoePgh]

Having just re-watched the Louisville game, I’m here to tell you that Azura’s 4th quarter in that game (as in the Notre Dame game) was an All-American performance. Not only did she get the majority of UConn’s points in the 4th quarter, she got several contested rebounds, at least one nice assist, and one steal of what would have been a backdoor assist by Louisville.

I think far too much is made on this board of her 3-point attempts, which really are not very numerous. In the Louisville game, I’m not sure that Crystal made a good play by passing to her in the corner when she probably could have made a layup, but once that was done, the shot was the only reasonable play for Azura to make.

 

[donalddoowop]

And to be even more sympathetic to Z, she comes off the bench, something that's very hard, since you're coming in cold. And equally, the team needs to adjust to a different kind of player, and that sometimes throws off the rhythm, as was noted by at least one poster (sorry; can't remember whom) after the Louisville game. Some players are fine coming in cold; Z may not be one of them. The current rotation may be best for the team overall (which is all that counts), but not necessarily be best for Z.

She came over from Duke, where she would have been the star, and has worked hard to celebrate the UConn way. Lots of fist-pumps here for Z!

When she becomes a starter she will be a different player and some plays will be run through her. I believe she will be like Butler. Now that she is starting she has more confidence and playing well. Z with more confidence will be very good. There are so many on here who value Geno's opinion and he says Z will is a highly talented player. This is the first time in her career that she has not been a starter on a regular basis. Also, it seems to me that an offensive system that is thrown off when a substitute comes in to replace a starter, is too complicated. It did not used to be that way.

 

[j66kicker]

When she becomes a starter she will be a different player and some plays will be run through her. I believe she will be like Butler. Now that she is starting she has more confidence and playing well. Z with more confidence will be very good. There are so many on here who value Geno's opinion and he says Z will is a highly talented player. This is the first time in her career that she has not been a starter on a regular basis. Also, it seems to me that an offensive system that is thrown off when a substitute comes in to replace a starter, is too complicated. It did not used to be that way.

It seems to me that this offensive system may be too complicated for the competition. 25-0. Just sayin'...

 

[DefenseBB]

Center, I love your focus and zeal on endorsing KLS! I too, am a huge KLS fan and think she warrants the POY over Wilson, Vivians and/or Durr.

The main * is KLS has missed 5 games, 20% of the season at this point and that is a huge stat tilt towards Z. Z has been unfairly critiqued due to the hype Geno started on her potential. She has always been very good offensively with the “work in progress” being her defense.

I prefer to agree 100% that Z is, in fact playing well and will need to continue her evolution in order for us to win #12.

Along those lines, KLS has played through bumps, bruises, sprains, illness and the other teams primary defensive focus. KLS is the mark of consistency in all big games when healthy-ND some injury issues. She sets the tone offensively with her shot creation (not to denigrate Gabby, Kia or Pheesa here but Geno notes “Lou” is our 1A offensive weapon).

No “slight” was perceived by me towards KLS with the nice post on Z by our colleague Naples. Let’s continue to watch with glee KLS and her evolution of her game...

 

[HuskylnSC]

I like Z and I believe I am going to love her game next year. One point about her stats this year is according to my eye test, she kills the small finesse teams and fades against teams that are larger and more physical. She is getting better as she has acquired more experience in the post.

Also, regarding her 3 point shooting, I remember Geno saying she and Kia are direct opposites. Z can't miss in practice and can't make in a game and Kia can't hit in practice. I think he closed those comments with "so what are you going to do?"

 

[Lynx23]

Entering the fourth quarter, UConn trailed Notre Dame, 62-54. Lil Thompson made a three, and UConn trailed, 65-54, with 9:00 to go in the game.

This is what Azura Stevens did in the fourth quarter, between 9:00 to go and 2:20 to go, against Notre Dame's starters and facing the biggest deficit UConn has faced in years.

8:59 Azura Stevens made Layup. 65 - 56
8:19 Arike Ogunbowale missed Three Point Jumper. 65 - 56
8:19 Crystal Dangerfield Defensive Rebound. 65 - 56
8:19 Megan Walker made Layup. Assisted by Crystal Dangerfield. 65 - 58
8:06 Lili Thompson made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Jessica Shepard. 68 - 58
7:49 Kia Nurse made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Azura Stevens. 68 - 61
7:05 Arike Ogunbowale Turnover. 68 - 61
7:05 Napheesa Collier Steal. 68 - 61
6:53 Azura Stevens made Layup. Assisted by Crystal Dangerfield. 68 - 63
6:47 Notre Dame Timeout 68 - 63
6:25 Lili Thompson missed Three Point Jumper. 68 - 63
6:25 Megan Walker Defensive Rebound. 68 - 63
6:05 Foul on Kathryn Westbeld. 68 - 63
6:05 Azura Stevens made Free Throw. 68 - 64
6:05 Azura Stevens made Free Throw. 68 - 65
5:49 Marina Mabrey missed Three Point Jumper. 68 - 65
5:49 Connecticut Defensive Rebound. 68 - 65
5:19 Crystal Dangerfield missed Three Point Jumper. 68 - 65
5:19 Crystal Dangerfield Offensive Rebound. 68 - 65
5:14 Crystal Dangerfield made Jumper. 68 - 67
4:50 Marina Mabrey Turnover. 68 - 67
4:50 Official TV Timeout 68 - 67
4:41 Azura Stevens made Layup. Assisted by Napheesa Collier. 68 - 69
4:22 Arike Ogunbowale made Layup. 70 - 69
3:54 Kia Nurse made Layup. 70 - 71
3:28 Arike Ogunbowale missed Three Point Jumper. 70 - 71
3:28 Megan Walker Defensive Rebound. 70 - 71
3:24 Foul on Jessica Shepard. 70 - 71
3:08 Napheesa Collier missed Three Point Jumper. 70 - 71
3:08 Kia Nurse Offensive Rebound. 70 - 71
3:02 Kia Nurse made Layup. 70 - 73
2:43 Jessica Shepard missed Layup. 70 - 73
2:43 Napheesa Collier Defensive Rebound. 70 - 73
2:20 Azura Stevens made Jumper. 70 - 75

In this period of 6:40, Stevens had 10 points and an assist on a three-point basket. 13 of UConn's 26 points in the quarter were a result of Stevens. UConn went from trailing by 11 to leading by 5 - a swing of 16 points.

In fact, Stevens outscored Notre Dame as a team in the fourth quarter, 10-9.

Any questions?

Interesting how Kia's contributions in that last quarter (7 points, including 4 of the last 6 points scored by UCONN, and an offensive rebound) are often over-looked.

 

[chrissaran]

When you have Katie Lou, Kia, Crystal and Napheesa shooting 3s, you don't need a 6'6" player shooting 3s at 16.7%. Z's overall percentage is 59.8%, which includes the 16.7%. Tell me again why she's so adamant about shooting 3s? Z would be shooting over 60% without the 3s. They need her closer to the basket.

 

[DefenseBB]

...One point about her stats this year is according to my eye test, she kills the small finesse teams and fades against teams that are larger and more physical. She is getting better as she has acquired more experience in the post.

So if I may ask-besides Texas, who are the larger more and more physical teams that we played? I looked at UCLA (18 pt win with Z-6 pts/no KLS, not really a larger more physical team), SC (yeah larger, not sure more physical-25 pt win with Z ) and at Texas with 11,800+ fans, largest crowd in years and Texas' best game by far and Z had 16 points, 2 blocks and 3 rebounds. I guess if we view Texas as more physical-16 points is pretty good.

To me, it's trying to find the offensive spacing and rhythm with Z vs. Gabby and Pheesa with perimeter players Kia/Crystal Dangerfield and our beloved KLS who slashes across, thru and bombs from the outside.

 

[HuskylnSC]

So if I may ask-besides Texas, who are the larger more and more physical teams that we played? I looked at UCLA (18 pt win with Z-6 pts/no KLS, not really a larger more physical team), SC (yeah larger, not sure more physical-25 pt win with Z ) and at Texas with 11,800+ fans, largest crowd in years and Texas' best game by far and Z had 16 points, 2 blocks and 3 rebounds. I guess if we view Texas as more physical-16 points is pretty good.

To me, it's trying to find the offensive spacing and rhythm with Z vs. Gabby and Pheesa with perimeter players Kia/Crystal Dangerfield and our beloved KLS who slashes across, thru and bombs from the outside.

I should not have used the word larger. What I see is that she has a difficult time catching the ball when being "jostled" underneath. When she is being bumped she very often will have to double catch or not catch. I agree with your comment on spacing and rhythm. The quote could also apply to Megan.

 

[tony yusef]

She is going to be a contributor during the NC tournament...and will likely be relied on heavily against the likes of MSST, TX, Baylor, etc...teams with big bigs.[/QUOTE]

Not only is she going to contribute but they need her to win the National Championship. She can score in the block against anyone, her length is going to be relied on against the bigger teams that loom down the road. So those who are hating on Zee better wake up and get it together. If she is not a major factor in the tournament UConn will not win....