UCONN-Texas post game thread

[hoophuskee]

I disagree, those Texas bigs are not as good as South Carolina’s or Stanford. Different level. It was a good experience and it’s early so it’s all helping us get better, but cmon, Texas bigs are big and aggressive and deep, South Carolina is all of those things plus skilled and experienced. I dislike them all but I’m just be honest from my point of view. We can still win those games but down low, we are at a clear disadvantage just like I believe we have an advantage at the 2 guard and wing spots over anyone we play.

But you are comparing Texas vs the number 1 and number 2 teams. SO Texas is not good because they aren't SC and Stanford?

Then please explain who else is as good as thsoe 2?

 

[uconnever]

But you are comparing Texas vs the number 1 and number 2 teams. SO Texas is not good because they aren't SC and Stanford?

Then please explain who else is as good as thsoe 2?

I don’t care about anything except being Number 1, not 2,3,4 or 5. And if we want to get there, our post players are gonna have to get better because the competition for that too spot is better, period. I would venture to say a lot better. Those frontlines are not just better, they been playing together longer than Texas and they e won titles together. Edward I believe will hold her own, Dorka needs to figure some things out. She had a hell of a game tonight, did a lot, but I’m telling you, I believe those frontlines on those two teams are not having it. And those are the two teams I’m worried about because those in my opinion is who will be in our way when it counts most.

 

[eebmg]

Regarding the heavy minutes question, I want to remind people that we lost the fourth quarter against Texas. I also want to refresh our posters memory regarding last year. During the height of our injury crisis, we had a few games with an extremely short bench. We had games with no backup guards available, needing to use Aaliyah at the 3, and overworking the three guards that were healthy. We looked gassed in the fourth quarter of those games, and it showed in the results.

In other games Dorka or Liv was out and our already limited three big rotation, became a two big rotation. The remaining bigs played more than their optimal minutes, and since Geno was unwilling to use Amari as a solution, he went small ball for the backup minutes there. That didn't work well either.

We can all debate the optimal minutes for our players. IMO most starters for most programs play around 30 minutes a game with true stars approaching maybe 35 on the high side. Well conditioned players more, and if the gap between starter and substitute is large the starter of course gets more.

I don't think the Texas distribution was ideal for most competitive games, but two things affected it. First Caroline was not yet ready for a significant contribution, and Lou was in foul trouble. Take those two factors away, and Azzi and Nika can play closer to optimal minutes.

Upfront it was a confidence and experience factor with the bigs. At least in that game, Geno preferred using Dorka and Aaliyah more than the ideal minutes, to avoid having to play Ayanna more. I suspect that will change in the future as well, but Ayanna can't be a foul machine as soon as she gets in. She doesn't need to be as good as Dorka or Aaliyah to play more, just as good as a very tired Dorka or Aaliyah, and I suspect she may be close to that, as she may be the team's best shot blocker and rebounder.

I think the only 35 minute a game player should be Azzi, and the others should max out at slightly more than 30. If everyone is healthy, we have a very high quality bench, if not a very large rotation. There is an option of near same quality or potentially so, for every player except Azzi. Only she should play minutes even when she is pretty tired IMO.

The only person that seemed fatigued was Nesh. Those 3 pt celebrations looked a little ragged at the end.