UCONN - UNC Post game thread | Page 3 | The Boneyard

UCONN - UNC Post game thread

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I'm not saying they are executing the strategy anywhere near that crew but I see the strategy similarities.
 
Next 12 said:
It seems that N. Carolina has the same problem that we have, no players. NC only played 5 players that scored. But, a win is a win. Ashlynn and KK are still carrying their weight as starters and Paige looked like the Paige in her freshman year. Aaliyah was solid as always and Nika was a scorer Audrey was a contributor also. The defense was good enough to make this win possible. We will get even better and the wins will come.Geno is learning what he has as a team and is now processing his strategy for the season. With his brilliant mind I am sure he will get the max that this team can bring to the table. GO GO GO HUSKIES!!!!
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We have to get used to this team not looking on O like past teams. If Ice can figure things out so that we have 2 interior option, the O should looked more familiar. If not, it will be different and with so many freshmen having key roles, it might take some time to smooth out. D will be as important as ever, and boxing out on the defensive boards.
 
It seemed to me that this game, against a big, well-coached team, provided an idea of what it will take for this UConn team to win against the good ones (SC excluded, because I believe they are pretty much in their own league this year).
-- Paige playing like the Paige of old.
-- The other players not standing around and watching the above. It is, however, ok if the opponents do.
-- Nika playing better. I know folks here -- me included -- love what she has given the team in her time here, but let's face it. She has been off defensively this year. She still made some goofy plays today, but the three pointers made up for it.
--KK giving all her energy and Ashlynn hitting at least 2-3 threes
-- Aaliyah minimizing errors and continuing to fearlessly go to the hoop.


--
 
Besides playing a stellar game today, what impressed me most about Paige was her emotional engagement. She looked involved and displayed the type of emotion that seemed to be missing earlier in the season.

She is so smooth on the court and if she was so inclined, given her offensive skill set, she could easily average 30 per game. Had she not been injured her sophomore year, she would own the record for fastest player to 1000 points in UConn history. When healthy, she is a consistent 20+ per game scorer in addition to the other tangible & intangible assets she brings. Today, she appeared to be operating at a level above every other player on the court.

I have to give a shout out to KK today. She was not intimidated covering a 4-year starter in Deja Kelly, and they had an ongoing war throughout. She gave as well as she took, and there could have been fouls called on every play. Kelly could easily have had 5 offensive fouls.

NC plays ugly and it affected UConn at times, but this was an earned victory. As much as I would like to see Paige take more shots, it's hard to argue with her level of efficiency.

Lastly, it might take Big East games to get Ice Brady going. She needs a couple of games to build her confidence and get some rhythm. Right now, it's a rude welcome to the big leagues. She's taking her lickings, but hopefully she'll come out stronger on the other end.
 
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Negatives:

1. TO's...17 a little on the high side but overall not bad when you think that our point guards (KK and Nika) combined for ten of them. Ice got three of them...that accounts for 13 of our 17 turnovers.

2. Nika was good at times but she was also really bad at times. 4 threes...Yay!; 6 Turnovers...Ouch!

3. We miss a lot of lay-ups and put-backs.

4. We do not play consistently throughout the game...and that 2nd quarter was horrific. Playing most of the 4th quarter with a "milk the clock" mentality in my opinion took the edge off their offense and as a result they went somewhat stale for a long stretch in the quarter.

5. Ice and Samuels are still not consistent; Amari and Bettencourt have been relegated to being practice players and aren't even getting on the court.

6. Playing small means that we give up rebounds...we lost that battle 43 to 33.

Positives:

1. The most obvious we got the win, a quality win against a top 25 team.

2. 8-17 from three...Nika got 4 of them.

3. The defense was exceptional at times. Most of the first quarter and the first two minutes of the 3rd quarter were exceptional...but overall, it was a good defensive game. Going small helps UConn to be faster to the ball.

4. Bueckers looked more like she did her freshmen year except this time around she drove the basket more and finished around the basket despite contact. Made it to 1000 points at a record pace tying Maya Moore. Her efficiency is among the best in WCBB.

5. Aaliyah got another double-double.

6. KK and Ashylynn continue to impress...this time as starters and against a top-25 team.
 
Bone Dog said:
My forecast was right and wrong. I said Paige had to dominate for us to win, and she did. OMG, did she ever. But I also said her ability to do so would depend on the others scoring effectively. It turns out they didn't and Paige still dominated. So, much as I'd love to toot my own horn, I only deserve half a toot for that one.

I also thought Aubrey would be hard pressed to matchup well against Ustby, and she did very well against her. Though the stats don't really show it, I think Aubrey was instrumental. Also, it didn't hurt that Ustby got 2 quick fouls and sat much of the first half. Otherwise it might have been a rather different game.

Also, Deja Kelly got away with her usual BS hunting fouls, but wasn't able to get enough of an advantage from it. With 6 TOs (thanks mainly to Nika) I think she was a net negative for UNC. And I agree that last blocking foul against Nika was an obvious offensive foul by Kelly.

I was also impressed by Gakdeng, who played pretty well (14 pts on 6-9 with 13 rebounds) before fouling out. One of our Carolina members said in a different thread that she's a top 5 post player, and while that is clearly not true, she is better than I thought. Maybe top 10 or 15. Quick feet and a good positional rebounder.

Finally, we seemed to suffer from the layup-itis of two seasons ago. KK most of all. She has to make those when she breaks her defender down and gets to the rim. There was a stretch when it looked like Paige was trying to give the team a clinic on making layups. And Aaliyah missed a few bunnies, too. I think this is all the consequence of playing an unfamiliar group. In effect, we're playing a pick-up game against coached teams. UNC is not so different from us in that. respect, and that's probably why we prevailed. Paige is simply better than anyone on the other side.

I can't wait for conference play to begin. That's when the freshmen will learn what UConn basketball really is by getting to play a bunch of teams that won't be nearly as challenging as the OOC schedule has been.
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I enjoyed your post but have two thoughts. You simply had it reversed. Paige's ability to score makes the other players effective. Why? First, confidence by osmosis. Second, you are not getting doubled, she is. Third, everyone is watching her. Also, I think this is where the freshman learn UCONN. Not in easy games, but in hard games against the country's best players excluding that guard from Iowa. Losses are deemed to be tragedies by the BY, but for the frosh, they learn. I'm sorry but you don't learn anything by winning easy games just like you shouldn't practice foul shots until you are exhausted.
 
I'm wondering...we beat a Top 25 team today but will UNC Chapel Hill still be ranked in the Top 25 tomorrow?
Like I said, just wondering...
 
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Aluminny69 said:
Two observations:
1. Paige was great, obviously. But can she survive an entire season getting beat up the way she was this game?

2. UConn as a team looked tired in the fourth quarter. Because they basically played with 6 players? How far can they get playing this way?
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How far can they get using six players? We are about to find out because Ice is clearly no where near ready to contribute with and Q has somehow fallen into the doghouse !
 
Crossover said:
Turnovers are not always the fault of the person to whom they are assessed. Two of Nika's turnovers were the result of Ashlyn not paying attention and not seeing the ball coming. Perhaps Nika should not have thrown the pass (as Rebecca Lobo suggested), but timing is everything. Sometimes you need to pass to where the player is supposed to be rather than wait until she is there, fully set, and staring at you. That said, I have no doubt that Nika and Ash will be on the same page next time.
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I thoroughly disagree-those errant passes to Ash were totally Nika's fault. You don't anticipate where a teammate is going to be unless it is a set play. All other tines, you make sure that your teammate is open and ready to receive your pass before passing it to her.

As a senior PG, Nika should know this--good thing she hit her 3s because her defense and breaking down the press was not good at all. The NC guards were singing Linda Ronstadt all night to Nika: "Blue Bayou".
 
I was at the game tonight and when Geno starting rolling his wrist to run clock, just like always, the offense went dormant and all momentum was lost. Playing not to lose is a bad idea and, again like always, the 16 point lead on the verge of a blowout became an 8 point nail biter. This a coaching trend that drives me crazy and shouldn’t happen. If you’re good enough to gain a 16 point lead and you’re clearly the better team put the pedal to the metal and put the other team away.
 
Centerstream said:
It looked to me in the 4th quarter that Deja Kelly gave Nika a forearm while dribbling and Nika got called for a block?????? :eek:
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We were seated at the corner where this happened. No question that Kelly forearmed Nika. If that were the only bad call that the male ref called! He was reversed twice on out-of-bounds calls, within a minute. Our Huskies deserve extra credit for beating a team that had six representatives on the floor.
 
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BBallF said:
Good point. Of course with a healthy Jana, Ay, CD and Azzi the schedule would not even be discussed.
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I don't think I have seen a comment from anyone on this, but Caroline wasn't even on the bench. Stiff neck? No. Concussion ? You decide.
 
Bills Fan said:
I don't think I have seen a comment from anyone on this, but Caroline wasn't even on the bench. Stiff neck? No. Concussion ? You decide.
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Because it’s already been addressed. Caroline is suffering concussion symptoms that were triggered by turbulence to the Cayman Islands and won’t be returning to the court or the bench until they are fully cleared up this time which has no timeline.
 
SEbluebood said:
How far can they get using six players? We are about to find out because Ice is clearly no where near ready to contribute with and Q has somehow fallen into the doghouse !
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Don’t see it this way. They both played in the second quarter but the match up wasn’t going to make it their game. They are rotational players that will play as the match up dictates.
 
Bone Dog said:
My forecast was right and wrong. I said Paige had to dominate for us to win, and she did. OMG, did she ever. But I also said her ability to do so would depend on the others scoring effectively. It turns out they didn't and Paige still dominated. So, much as I'd love to toot my own horn, I only deserve half a toot for that one.

I also thought Aubrey would be hard pressed to matchup well against Ustby, and she did very well against her. Though the stats don't really show it, I think Aubrey was instrumental. Also, it didn't hurt that Ustby got 2 quick fouls and sat much of the first half. Otherwise it might have been a rather different game.

Also, Deja Kelly got away with her usual BS hunting fouls, but wasn't able to get enough of an advantage from it. With 6 TOs (thanks mainly to Nika) I think she was a net negative for UNC. And I agree that last blocking foul against Nika was an obvious offensive foul by Kelly.

I was also impressed by Gakdeng, who played pretty well (14 pts on 6-9 with 13 rebounds) before fouling out. One of our Carolina members said in a different thread that she's a top 5 post player, and while that is clearly not true, she is better than I thought. Maybe top 10 or 15. Quick feet and a good positional rebounder.

Finally, we seemed to suffer from the layup-itis of two seasons ago. KK most of all. She has to make those when she breaks her defender down and gets to the rim. There was a stretch when it looked like Paige was trying to give the team a clinic on making layups. And Aaliyah missed a few bunnies, too. I think this is all the consequence of playing an unfamiliar group. In effect, we're playing a pick-up game against coached teams. UNC is not so different from us in that. respect, and that's probably why we prevailed. Paige is simply better than anyone on the other side.

I can't wait for conference play to begin. That's when the freshmen will learn what UConn basketball really is by getting to play a bunch of teams that won't be nearly as challenging as the OOC schedule has been.
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todbo said:
We were seated at the corner where this happened. No question that Kelly forearmed Nika. If that were the only bad call that the male ref called! He was reversed twice on out-of-bounds calls, within a minute. Our Huskies deserve extra credit for beating a team that had six representatives on the floor.
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Completely disagree te the referees it was called both ways
They clearly were determined to allow the physical play and both teams figure that out right away, and it was as intense and physical game as I can remember (saw the game live) yes, one of the refs missed two out of bounds calls right in front of him, but was quickly overruled by the other officials, which is the way it supposed to be
He also wasn’t looking at Paige’s feet when she was fouled on a three pointer again the other refs quickly went to the monitor
Sure they missed the Kelly forearm but in a game called this loosely a lot of fouls were “play on”
I don’t remember either coach complaining
To me this was as well officiated game as I’ve seen
Completely CONSISTENT
 
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Bills Fan said:
I don't think I have seen a comment from anyone on this, but Caroline wasn't even on the bench. Stiff neck? No. Concussion ? You decide.
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I think that it was mentioned in a different thread that she was also not on the bench for the Ball State game
 
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