UCONN - Villanova Post-Game thread

[Blueballer]

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The same was so close I didn't even think of it. Just annoying hearing people says our players "Suck" When they are out there busting it on every play.

 

[NC28604]

Geez, give it a couple hours. MJL has a life

I know, we watched Matilda until 2 minutes left. Then chat kept me posted, kinda glad we don't have CBSSN for this one.

 

[HuskyNan]

That was an exhausted basketball team.

UConn played 3 games since Villanova played its last game.

Posters who criticizes UConn's effort are the worst.

They gutted out the win. Let's be thankful.

Oh just wait. It will get worse.

 

[huskyd]

Let's have more games played cleanly, with effort, and heart. Kudos to Villanova for coming in and providing great entertainment. Seigrist is terrific.

 

[topogigio]

Needed a few minutes to catch my breath before I can post!
Villanova is a real good team, and Maddy is one heck of a player.
UConn is one tough bunch of young ladies. The game was very, very physical and the number of minutes each starter played was outrageous. How they had enough juice to finish the game was remarkable.
Great backcourt save by Dorka
I liked how Villanova used their shoulder and upper body to make space, then step back for their shots!
Time to unwind!!!!

 

[SLY63]

Well, this was a recipe for disaster. Lou was forcing shots and was off. AE was off and looked tired. We played a well-coached, rested, top 20 team, who doesn't turn the ball over and has with an All-American.

Lot's of standing around on offense which I attribute to mental +physical fatigue.

And Aubrey stepped up big time, Dorka made some big plays, and we gutted a tough win. A great effort.

Hopefully we can recharge this week in prep for South Carolina.

 

[Blueconn]

Geez, give it a couple hours. MJL has a life

Ah, for the old days waiting for the mail.

 

[tkaes]

Have to admit Q1 surprised me a bit in that Aubrey and Aaliyah had 4 shots blocked between them. And offensively, it seemed a few times like Plan A, then Plan B, then Plan C wasn't working, but UCONN was so patient and found the right players to get the ball to. Was really impressed at how good Villanova was on both offense and defense. Thought UCONN was on a good roll. But turnovers continue to be a problem. Some of them are butter-finger post players. Some brain-fart decisions by Nika (great steal, then home run pass to no one down the court). And foul trouble. Nova simply outplayed us in Q2. Our offense was just messy, and part of that was great defense by Nova.

More of the same in the 2nd half. Edwards getting blocked, missed shots, great Villanova defense, and Nova took the lead. Not sure what halftime changes Geno drew up, but nothing was working. I thought the Georgetown game was one of the worst of the season, but this one was harder to watch for me. 8 points scored in Q2. 10 points in Q3. They outplayed UCONN for long stretches of the game. Sigriest was the best player on the floor, altho Griffin was terrific for UCONN.

It sort of seemed like Geno kept expecting the players to figure it out, but it never really came.

• Aaliyah - step backwards for her today. Got her shot blocked numerous times by a smaller younger player. And missed layups and jumpers when she did get a shot off. But those 2 clutch FT's late - ice water in her veins for sure. 1-2 the next time down. Oh well. Then got those last 2!!!
• Dorka - too many butterfinger plays. Then I look up and she's got 16 points. That 3 that she took to give UCONN the lead late - I was like "NOOOOO"... then "YESSSSSS"... And that heads up play late saving a half court violation!
• Nika - 1 assist thru 3 quarters. She did some scoring, but that bad pass in Q1 after getting the steal, then the pass to Dorka in Q4 to take the lead - Dorka was double teamed AND the pass was a bad one. Then followed it up with a beautiful pass to a streaking Aubrey for one of our few fast break baskets.
• Lou - couldn't get anything going. I realize the old adage "shooters gotta shoot", but 2-13? At some point you gotta realize that taking contested shots is costing your team possessions.
• Aubrey - Q2 really was the Aubrey show. That reverse layup under the basket with a defender in her face was special. I get that this is technically her 3rd season, but I'm not sure I've ever seen a player improve so much from one season to the next. Her confidence is what allows her to use her physical gifts AND basketball skills to not only be an elite defender, but to show her impressive offensive game. But that 4th foul was so dumb. AND her FT shooting. WOW. I thought those 2 missed FT's were gonna come back to haunt us but she did everything else exceptionally. POG for sure from UCONN's perspective.

That play in the last 30 seconds was just dumb. Couldn't get the ball in, then Edwards is tied up, then Nova drains a 3. Are you serious? SMH. It was like the team never worked on an inbounds play before. Up 5 with 30 seconds left and THAT'S what you do??? The last 30 seconds really was poorly played and mismanaged.

Bottom line is maybe the lack of bench is catching up with them. Didn't seem that way in the Seton Hall or Tennessee games. Not sure the reason this game went the way it did, but kudos to Villanova for outplaying UCONN for long stretches and imposing their will. I think they are much better than the 21st team in the nation. We really won the game at the FT line. What a gutty performance by Nova. And as much as I was pointing out things we did wrong, we kept our composure and gutted out a tremendous win against a really good team. REALLY proud of these guys.

And on at least 3 of the times Aaliyah's shot was blocked she was fouled with no call. On one of them she was fouled twice; once by one arm and then again by the player's other arm.

Lou also missed a number of uncontested shots. Just one of those bad shooting days

 

[Blueconn]

Well, this was a recipe for disaster. Lou was forcing shots and was off. AE was off and looked tired. We played a well-coached, top 20 team, who doesn't turn the ball over and has with an All-American.

And Aubrey stepped up big time, Dorka made some big plays, and we gutted a tough win. A great effort.

Hopefully we can recharge this week in prep for South Carolina.

Sheesh…don’t overlook the little matter of Providence on Wednesday.

 

[Surly1]

This was the epitome of a gut-check win. It wasn't pretty and it became clear from the 2nd quarter on, UConn was running on tired legs. As amazing as Lou and Aaliyah played on Thursday, they were struggling today, particularly Lou. A lot of shots were short, hitting the rim and some missing altogether. Fortunately, Aubrey and Dorka were ready to pick up the slack.

To be fair, Villanova had a lot to do with how UConn played. Denise Dillon is an excellent coach and her team is well prepared. They are sound defensively and do not beat themselves by trying to do things they are not capable of. Siegrist earned her 25 today and Lucy Olsen is cut from the same cloth as her opposing counterpart. Nova is certainly a top 20 and they showed and played without fear. Hats off to to the Cats today.

After two consecutive, physical games, the starters need time to recharge before the big one against SC. So lets be thankful for the win and hitting another 20-win season.

 

[Urshurak]

Replay????

You don’t want to. Trust me. We won. On to Providence.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Good effort by the Huskies. Shots weren’t falling today but they battled and won the game.

 

[EdSaid]

Day off tomorrow ladies! Well deserved.

 

[jaydee602]

I'm glad to see there aren't too many critical comments about the game & the players. UCONN was sluggish & battered, but they refused to give up. The Huskies showed character & a "refuse to lose" attitude.

 

[Sanka541]

Look, these players are absolutely dead on their feet and they have just gutted out a win against a really good team. This is a game we wouldn't have won last year or even the year before that. They are much tougher now and have found a way through every challenge so far this season and this game was no different. No way does Lou shoot this badly again. Hopefully they can get some rest on Wednesday and the bench can play more and then I know they'll give it 100% against SC as they always do.

 

[Cornell Lt]

Another gutsy effort. Could have easily been a different outcome, but champions find a way when the chips are down.

 

[JJTB]

Kudos Ladies, nice win. Love watching well coached teams not afraid to play “their” game against the best…i.e. Princeton and Villanova.

 

[my2cents]

Have to admit Q1 surprised me a bit in that Aubrey and Aaliyah had 4 shots blocked between them. And offensively, it seemed a few times like Plan A, then Plan B, then Plan C wasn't working, but UCONN was so patient and found the right players to get the ball to. Was really impressed at how good Villanova was on both offense and defense. Thought UCONN was on a good roll. But turnovers continue to be a problem. Some of them are butter-finger post players. Some brain-fart decisions by Nika (great steal, then home run pass to no one down the court). And foul trouble. Nova simply outplayed us in Q2. Our offense was just messy, and part of that was great defense by Nova.

More of the same in the 2nd half. Edwards getting blocked, missed shots, great Villanova defense, and Nova took the lead. Not sure what halftime changes Geno drew up, but nothing was working. I thought the Georgetown game was one of the worst of the season, but this one was harder to watch for me. 8 points scored in Q2. 10 points in Q3. They outplayed UCONN for long stretches of the game. Sigriest was the best player on the floor, altho Griffin was terrific for UCONN.

It sort of seemed like Geno kept expecting the players to figure it out, but it never really came.

• Aaliyah - step backwards for her today. Got her shot blocked numerous times by a smaller younger player. And missed layups and jumpers when she did get a shot off. But those 2 clutch FT's late - ice water in her veins for sure. 1-2 the next time down. Oh well. Then got those last 2!!!
• Dorka - too many butterfinger plays. Then I look up and she's got 16 points. That 3 that she took to give UCONN the lead late - I was like "NOOOOO"... then "YESSSSSS"... And that heads up play late saving a half court violation!
• Nika - 1 assist thru 3 quarters. She did some scoring, but that bad pass in Q1 after getting the steal, then the pass to Dorka in Q4 to take the lead - Dorka was double teamed AND the pass was a bad one. Then followed it up with a beautiful pass to a streaking Aubrey for one of our few fast break baskets.
• Lou - couldn't get anything going. I realize the old adage "shooters gotta shoot", but 2-13? At some point you gotta realize that taking contested shots is costing your team possessions.
• Aubrey - Q2 really was the Aubrey show. That reverse layup under the basket with a defender in her face was special. I get that this is technically her 3rd season, but I'm not sure I've ever seen a player improve so much from one season to the next. Her confidence is what allows her to use her physical gifts AND basketball skills to not only be an elite defender, but to show her impressive offensive game. But that 4th foul was so dumb. AND her FT shooting. WOW. I thought those 2 missed FT's were gonna come back to haunt us but she did everything else exceptionally. POG for sure from UCONN's perspective.

That play in the last 30 seconds was just dumb. Couldn't get the ball in, then Edwards is tied up, then Nova drains a 3. Are you serious? SMH. It was like the team never worked on an inbounds play before. Up 5 with 30 seconds left and THAT'S what you do??? The last 30 seconds really was poorly played and mismanaged.

Bottom line is maybe the lack of bench is catching up with them. Didn't seem that way in the Seton Hall or Tennessee games. Not sure the reason this game went the way it did, but kudos to Villanova for outplaying UCONN for long stretches and imposing their will. I think they are much better than the 21st team in the nation. We really won the game at the FT line. What a gutty performance by Nova. And as much as I was pointing out things we did wrong, we kept our composure and gutted out a tremendous win against a really good team. REALLY proud of these guys.

This has to be the worst recap of a game , EVER.
They pretty much hacked us on every shot and drive. Mostly no calls. On top of it you have an ex Villanova player calling the game who saw none of it. Even the tie up of AE at the end, the Villanova player came across her arm.

 

[pacific 44]

I guess Uconn didn't get the memo about playing close games. They were supposed to blow people away,given the potential cardiac issues with some of us older folks.

 

[Urshurak]

There’s AG doubters on the BY? Who?

 

[Next 12]

The Huskies were looking gassed from the tip-off. Villanova’s physical play didn’t help.

Poor Lou got beat up. No calls

O.K. My apologies, it wasn't a ********, But we won and that's all that matters. Villanova fought hard and smart, but when any breaks came, they went Uconn's way. I give a ton of credit to Maddie and her team for playing their hearts out and if someone had to win, I'm glad it was us. Coach Dillon has done remarkable job with this team, possible coach of the year in BE. There is nothing I can say about the Huskies that I haven't already said, so I'll say great game and now on to the next one. GO HUSKIES!!!!

 

[Urshurak]

This was the epitome of a gut-check win. It wasn't pretty and it became clear from the 2nd quarter on, UConn was running on tired legs. As amazing as Lou and Aaliyah played on Thursday, they were struggling today, particularly Lou. A lot of shots were short, hitting the rim and some missing altogether. Fortunately, Aubrey and Dorka were ready to pick up the slack.

To be fair, Villanova had a lot to do with how UConn played. Denise Dillon is an excellent coach and her team is well prepared. They are sound defensively and do not beat themselves by trying to do things they are not capable of. Siegrist earned her 25 today and Lucy Olsen is cut from the same cloth as her opposing counterpart. Nova is certainly a top 20 and they showed and played without fear. Hats off to to the Cats today.

After two consecutive, physical games, the starters need time to recharge before the big one against SC. So lets be thankful for the win and hitting another 20-win season.

Did they cancel the Providence game? Surly you jest?

 

[hoopsnloops32]

I was expecting a loss after the Tennessee game because this had the hallmarks of a classic let down game. Not surprised by how we played for that reason but am pleasantly surprised to walk out with a W.