UCONN - UNC Post game thread

[freshler40]

Geno called a good game today. He got Paige going early rather than late and put a slow ball control in the 4th qtr. This can be scary as we have a tendency to throw away the ball and run the shot clock down to 3 seconds for a panic finish to our 30.
The team played with more passion and fought hard though out the game. That effort wins. Our turnover numbers are numbing and often come when we have an opportunity to put the other team away. Why???

 

[BBallF]

I know I am not a hall of fame coach, but when you are up 15+ you have to find a few minutes for Ice and Samuels. Maybe the thought is they get minutes in conference.

I think you have to win the game and Ice is turnover prone and still appears nervous and uncertain out there and he had his best defensive team on the floor and basically kept them on a 6 man rotation.

 

[Rb335]

This team has been consistently shooting the ball pretty well. Especially given how efficient Paige always seems to be. If they can really learn how to not turn the ball over, they’ll be a lot harder to beat.

Good win against a solid team. We showed flashes of what could be. Overall a step in the right direction.

 

[huskeynut]

It's a convincing win against a ranked team. Job well done.

As to nit picking, forget it. This team and the coaching staff knows what needs to be done.

Take the win. Get ready for Louisville.

 

[Monte]

2 thoughts:
1. What was said in the Locker Room at half-time which sparked up Paige

2. Q has to get more playing time; she has great potential

 

[freshler40]

I know I am not a hall of fame coach, but when you are up 15+ you have to find a few minutes for Ice and Samuels. Maybe the thought is they get minutes in conference.

Well, the two mentioned players had their minutes in the first half and looked somewhat dazzed so I'm good that Geno did what he did. We need more practice with a first unit against a good, ranked team.

 

[Stinger92860]

This team has been consistently shooting the ball pretty well. Especially given how efficient Paige always seems to be. If they can really learn how to not turn the ball over, they’ll be a lot harder to beat.

Good win against a solid team. We showed flashes of what could be. Overall a step in the right direction.

And the entire team needs to body up and box out much better.

 

[BBallF]

Geno called a good game today. He got Paige going early rather than late and put a slow ball control in the 4th qtr. This can be scary as we have a tendency to throw away the ball and run the shot clock down to 3 seconds for a panic finish to our 30.
The team played with more passion and fought hard though out the game. That effort wins. Our turnover numbers are numbing and often come when we have an opportunity to put the other team away. Why???

Some were just focus mistakes, some were frosh errors like trying to drive when you can't, some were getting used to who you are playing with, some were just rushing or trying to make a play that isn't there. We need to move on offense, that stops turnovers because a teammate can become open when they move and are not stationary.

 

[Latecomer]

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?

These risks are real. But given the alternatives, I still think Geno picked the best strategy today.

 

[Crossover]

Paige was brilliant. 4 blocks? Who’d a thunk it?

On the negative side, Nika made 4 threes but had 6 turnovers and was beaten on numerous occasions off the dribble defensively.

Great win against a well coached, somewhat depleted NC team.

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.

 

[BBallF]

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?

Both valid.

As to 1- This is especially concerning when the refereeing in women's basketball has become so contact happy and so collectively unwilling to blow the whistle. As a group, they are ensuring more injuries when they allow pushing, shoving, hitting in the face etc. If the men's game were called like this there would be a fist fight every 5 minutes.

As to 2- They need Q and Ice to improve and be assets out there in crunch time. With Q it is her defense and with Ice it is her foot speed and uncertainty. She also has to box out much better and work on her elevation. I think she lost a lot by missing last year.

 

[Blue Huskie]

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?

Response #1 : She isn't getting a lot of help from the refs. If her name was Caitlin she would have gotten a half dozen more free throws based on the contact she absorbed today.

Response #2: Unless you're SC and you have about 15 quality players most teams are going to be tired in the 4th when the game is as physical as it was today.

 

[Bigboote]

#5 still alive! Please do not disassemble. Nika finally shoots. Shade for the most part played good defense on Donarski. Deja Kelly throws a mean elbow. Aubs was real good tonight.

Okay, you've opened up Pandora's box. I'm gonna have to quote Short Circuit after every time Paige has a really good game.

 

[BBallF]

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.

I agree but I think Nika is weak against the press. That was shown last year against Ohio State. On the other hand, Paige broke their press like a chess master today.

 

[SLY63]

Felt like this was the opposite of the UCLA game. This time we won Q1 and Q3, and the game.

 

[my2cents]

Lots of good, and lots of head scratching plays. You would think our seniors, at this point would have fewer turnovers, make lay ups and point blank shots, and be able to grab the ball. Maybe the balls were greased today?

 

[Bigboote]

It looked to me in the 4th quarter that Deja Kelly gave Nika a forearm while dribbling and Nika got called for a block??????

I saw the same thing you did.

 

[Crossover]

I know I am not a hall of fame coach, but when you are up 15+ you have to find a few minutes for Ice and Samuels. Maybe the thought is they get minutes in conference.

This was only the second game with KK and Ash starting. I think that it was more important to give the new starting unit reps and an extended opportunity to build in-game chemistry than to "find a few minutes for Ice and Samuels". Plus North Carolina had already reduced a double digit lead to zero and a 15 or 16 point lead to 5. Victory was hardly assured.

 

[Happydad745]

Paige made it to 1000 plus points in 55 games..tied with Maya Moore as the fastest to it. The game was up and down in the 1st half, lots of miscommunication, but in the end, we won. This is probably least talented team UConn has had in years, but if every team in the NCAA played our schedule to this point in time, there might not be any undefeated teams.

 

[BBallF]

I want to know, did it seem to anyone else that the male referee was watching a different game, especially in the first half?

He always does. Finding a good referee in women's college basketball is almost impossible. The other two let tens of fouls go including pushing, hacking and shoving.

 

[pk1234]

I know I am not a hall of fame coach, but when you are up 15+ you have to find a few minutes for Ice and Samuels. Maybe the thought is they get minutes in conference.

15 can turn into 5 really quick

 

[BBallF]

Paige made it to 1000 plus points in 55 games..tied with Maya Moore as the fastest to it. The game was up and down in the 1st half, lots of miscommunication, but in the end, we won. This is probably least talented team UConn has had in years, but if every team in the NCAA played our schedule to this point in time, there might not be any undefeated teams.

Good point. Of course with a healthy Jana, Ay, CD and Azzi the schedule would not even be discussed.

 

[Runnerjen]

Sloppy game but entertaining. I think some of the turnovers by Paige and Nika were because they were pressing a bit to make big plays. The effort was there by everyone, and that has been lacking in previous games this season. Diving for loose balls, taking chargers, driving to the rim. It was good to see multiple players make threes. Paige looked great scoring from all over. I think they can build off this game.

 

[BBallF]

I wonder if something is going on with Nika physically. In most games this year, last year's league defensive player of the year has been consistently beaten off the dribble, and not just by the quick players. Paige on the other hand, seems to be able to keep up and put her body in front of the driver.

She is not as quick as last year right now, that is for sure. It is also her judgment on passes though which is a sign of fatigue. On the other hand her shot is the best this year it's ever been and we needed her points today. She could be really physically tired but no rest for the weary until the break beginning December 21.

 

[BBallF]

Sloppy game but entertaining. I think some of the turnovers by Paige and Nika were because they were pressing a bit to make big plays. The effort was there by everyone, and that has been lacking in previous games this season. Diving for loose balls, taking chargers, driving to the rim. It was good to see multiple players make threes. Paige looked great scoring from all over. I think they can build off this game.

For sure. The keys to me were the return of the dominant AA, the playing time and contributions of KK and Ash in a victory over a ranked team, and the way they started the third quarter which was vintage UCONN. It has to engender confidence.

 

[Bone Dog]

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.

 

[topogigio]

Paige carried the team today. Shade is going to be X factor this year, and I like KK running the team. Actually this team plays best when they run, run, run. Half court offense will be a work in progress!

 

[Bigboote]

This wasn't a pretty game, but this was a victory against a good physical team.

I was looking forward to Aubrey vs. Ustby, but also enjoyed Paige vs. Donarski. Both really good two-way players. Gakdeng is a really good player, and she kind of got the better of Edwards in the first half, but Aaliyah came alive in the second. Deja Kelley started off hot, but UConn largely neutralized her in the final three quarters. I was pretty pleased with UConn's defense.

A lot of the wacky passes weren't due solely to the passer, but to the passer and recipient not being on the same page. That's likely due to the frequent changes in lineups and can be fixed with practice.

 

[SLY63]

Random thoughts:

• Paige was awesome. Did everything you could ask.
• Nike hit some huge 3's, but her TOs were painful to watch
• AE looked both good and bad at times
• Aubrey made her presence felt, but didn't put up great stats
• KK played well but too many TOs
• Shade played well
• I really think that the key to a deep run in March will be Ice. We need her size to give us 20 productive minutes. Tonight was not it.
• Someone comments that they have never seen some many missed passes, dropped balls and rebounds tapped out of bounds. I agree.
• I commented earlier that this was like the opposite of the UCLA game. We won Q1 and Q3 (and the game), just like UCLA.

 

[DEpup]

This new line up has a whole 2009 and 2010 feel to me. Paige playing the role of Maya Moore. Edwards playing the role of Tina Charles with Griffin playing Kalena Green. Finally Muhl and Arnold trying to be Montgomery. I think the coaches have been watching some classic film....