UConn-Texas Game Thread

[Blueballer]

I was barking during the game that I thought Higgs 3 in the 4th quarter was a 2. I'd swear her foot was on the line. I was dead WRONG. Just looked at the replay. Sometimes our eyes trick us in such stressfull moments

 

[VAMike23]

Outstanding Women's Game tonight.
It great to see UConn not blow every team away.
I think this type of game, is great for Women's Basketball.
Both Team's fought hard. I think Texas gave UConn some thing's to work on in practice's.
And that's a good thang.....

I agree — there’s nothing like a loss to really burn something into your psyche but tight games like this are the next best thing. Overall I think we will be drawing a lot from this game —

I’m feeling good despite (because of?) the struggle

 

[HoopsFan21]

UConn has cruised to titles using six players. This team just has to make some improvements and get Collier to play like she did last year.

Those teams also always had one of the best women's basketball players on earth on it whether that be DT, Maya, or Stewie. This team has no one like that, so it's going to be a lot tougher than in the past. The days of UConn simply steam rolling top teams are over I think.

 

[Charliebball]

As we saw last week at Louisville good teams get really amped up in front of large raucous crowds and play their best game. UConn got down by 10 early and fought back. UConn got down by 8 in the 2nd half and once again fought back. UConn could have folded like another team did last Thursday night but they didn't. They stayed together and won a tough game against a physical athletic team in a very tough environment. That's good enough for me.

the team's experience in the Notre Dame game helped with the Texas game and the Texas game experience will help in the Louisville game.............winning by thirty teaches very little, coming from behind in front of a hostile crowd teaches players what they are capable of when the chips are down............priceless.............

 

[bballnut90]

Without looking , I am pretty sure we have won it all with 6 or at least won some really big games with 6 but Geno wants 7-8 he can really depend on

2014 y’all won handily with just 6 players. Collier/Williams/Stevens have struggled with consistency this year though, where the 2014 starting 5 was pretty much always rock solid. Walker’s development will be key to alleviate some of the pressure.

 

[CMC'72]

If you have a swollen eye two things generally happen

Plus, the main one, your judgement of distance is way off.

 

[oldude]

I'm not swinging I was just making a point I'm sure most people on here will not agree with cause they think everything's perfect all the time.

I have no idea what point you were making. I was responding to a pretty straightforward inquiry from a poster who made it very clear that he had no desire to see UConn play big games with only 6 players, but he wanted to know if they had ever done it before.

 

[HopJim]

Defensively, we are not respecting their 3 pt shot and offensively, we seem very timid. Awful combination.

Agree and in addition, we (similar to semi-final loss last year), cant guard a quick guard driving the lane. Horrible combination.

 

[UConnCat]

the team's experience in the Notre Dame game helped with the Texas game and the Texas game experience will help in the Louisville game...winning by thirty teaches very little, coming from behind in front of a hostile crowd teaches players what they are capable of when the chips are down..priceless...

Exactly. Fans so often judge these games by how they make them feel rather than how these games make the team feel. This sort of experience truly is priceless for the team and coaches.

 

[Blueballer]

Anyone have a link to the postgame PC's yet?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Those teams also always had one of the best women's basketball players on earth on it whether that be DT, Maya, or Stewie. This team has no one like that, so it's going to be a lot tougher than in the past. The days of UConn simply steam rolling top teams are over I think.

You're right in that nobody on the team is as good as Stewart but I'd argue there is as much if not more talent on the roster than any of those teams had. Geno didn't tell Kelly Graves this could be his best team for no reason.

 

[VA Huskie]

Stevens had some great moves around the basket. Two transfers (White and Stevens) had a big impact in this game.

I was surprised to see how good White was. Tough kid.

 

[HopJim]

Our man to man is just bestter than our zone. Always has been. It has been better in recent years but we still are better at man defense. I'm encouraged.

Not sure I agree. We have no one who appears to be able to stop their guards driving through the lane. Leading to a lot close shots and dish offs to the bigs for layups.

 

[Charliebball]

Those teams also always had one of the best women's basketball players on earth on it whether that be DT, Maya, or Stewie. This team has no one like that, so it's going to be a lot tougher than in the past. The days of UConn simply steam rolling top teams are over I think.

the usual suspects are down this year.............ND,SC and Stanford are not threats to UConn in my opinion, so it actually may be easier to get through the initial rounds of the NCAAs............Baylor, Louisville and Mississippi State are the teams standing between UConn and number twelve.........

 

[donalddoowop]

A couple of points now that the blood pressure has returned to normal -

Geno says his goal is to get the bench to contribute more
Z's height was a critical factor tonight
Texas brought their A game and we didn't and we still won.

Everybody brings their A game against UCONN. I stated in a thread that Texas would play out of their minds and they did. I just did not believe they could stay as hot as they were in the beginning of the game. Their three point shooting went cold in the second half.

 

[Bama fan]

Must be a SEC saying...

Princess Bride,actually. I think they just say y'all in the SEC.

 

[HoopsFan21]

You're right in that nobody on the team is as good as Stewart but I'd argue there is as much if not more talent on the roster than any of those teams had. Geno didn't tell Kelly Graves this could be his best team for no reason.

Right now I'd say this team is maybe the 9th or 10th best team he's ever had. Definitely not better than any of the big three teams, not better than any of the Bird-DT era teams, and a couple of the Maya-TC teams were better.

 

[HopJim]

Bingo. And this is why I stand by my comments on her WNBA trajectory. She's a freak athlete no doubt, but the WNBA is filled with 'em. Her work ethic will definitely help her, and she's smart. But, her total lack of a dependable jump shot and range (not to mention her shaky handle) will limit her within most offensive schemes given her height. But I still love her tho.

Unfortunately, have to agree about one of my favorite UConn players, Gabby. Similar to Miss State, Texas taking Gabby out of game. Making her into an outside ball handler and passer. On defense, she is having trouble with the size and physical pushing of their huge bigs. Both issues she will face in pros and neither a strength.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

the usual suspects are down this year...ND,SC and Stanford are not threats to UConn in my opinion, so it actually may be easier to get through the initial rounds of the NCAAs..Baylor, Louisville and Mississippi State are the teams standing between UConn and number twelve....

UConn had the door wide open for them last year and lost to a 22-pt underdog. I no longer try to minimize threats down to a select few.

 

[Puppy Love]

Princess Bride,actually. I think they just say y'all in the SEC.

Only the greatest movie of all time...

 

[Centerstream]

Princess Bride,actually. I think they just say y'all in the SEC.

Ah. I meant no offense BTW.

 

[VA Huskie]

As we saw last week at Louisville good teams get really amped up in front of large raucous crowds and play their best game. UConn got down by 10 early and fought back. UConn got down by 8 in the 2nd half and once again fought back. UConn could have folded like another team did last Thursday night but they didn't. They stayed together and won a tough game against a physical athletic team in a very tough environment. That's good enough for me.

Can I triple like this statement?

 

[HopJim]

What does Z's D have to so with Walker, Collier, and Williams? We need scoring.

What is unsaid is that while Z missed a couple of defensive plays, she has exhibited the most reliable offense on the team. No one can guard her, particularly when she takes her time and doesn't rush.

 

[ASweet3781]

UConn has cruised to titles using six players. This team just has to make some improvements and get Collier to play like she did last year.

1995- 7 players 2000- 8+ 2002- 7 2003- 7 2004- 7 2009- 8 2010- 8 2013- 8 2014- 7 2015- 7 2016- 6 (with Gabby, Napheesa as the 7th and 8th).

So really only in 2016 did we go that route of 6. And that was having 3 seniors who were smart and experienced and obviously talented enough where it didn't hurt us. It was also the year the field pretty much cleared out. Usually 6 is a recipe for a 2011 or 2017 type Final Four loss where foul trouble and lack of depth hurt.

 

[CMC'72]

Nah, these are nice folks that are heated up because of the game.

You've never met my cousin, Steve.

 

[HopJim]

The Collier/Williams combo is way too undersized against certain teams (tonight, Miss State). When they are this ineffective it is imperative we develop the Z/Walker combo. That combo was on the floor during the ND comeback. The coaches are a little too loyal to Collier/Gabby.

Agree. Z and KLS work great together as well.