As CD mentioned post-game, they changed up the defense. Instead of doubling Siegrist they had Aaliyah face-guard her. She wasn't really open. Good move by the coaches.
Olsen scored all of Villanova's points (7) in the final 8 minutes of the game.
Sorry for being late in... I'm exhausted for the trip to and from Hartford, and the electric atmosphere during the game. It really is a different animal when one sees a game almost courtside.
With due respect, UConnCat, I've got to disagree with you and others who talk about the coverage on Maddy S. during the fourth period, not so much what UConn tried, but the reasons why Siegrist was skunked down the stretch. I'm a big fan of Maddy and have been opining she should be first-team A-A, but 'Nova lost a game to a tired UConn squad it well could have won for two reasons:
1) Maddy missed a bunch of first-half shots she normally makes,
2) As Ctkaiser said above, it really was 'Nova's losing touch with their meal-ticket down the stretch. Aaliyah, Aubrey and Dorka had turns trying to stop Maddy, but it took the Wildcats' late-game impatience on offense that shut Maddy down and enabled the Huskies to escape. Olsen is a super young player but she made a lot of questionable decisions in the fourth. Maddy was open and had looks several times and they didn't look her way.
That was my take from my seat a few rows behind the Huskies' bench. My brother and a longtime friend, both very knowledgeable basketball people who also were at the game, agreed they were stunned Villanova so conspicuously forgot about Maddy in the fourth.
All that said, I'm glad they did, 'cause although the Huskies looked physically tapped, they were wearily triumphant (and relieved) at game's end. Praise to Geno, CD and Co. for their ability win games that other top teams might lose.
Compliments to Aubrey for her performance, and to Dorka for a strong second half and several key plays down the stretch.
I won't get into a duel with all of those who talk about how rough everyone is with the Huskies. When I see first-hand how physical the Huskies are, and that refs called 18 fouls on 'Nova and 12 on UConn, I wonder if some of you are watching the same games I am. It's Division I college basketball, and it's a rough game.
Plaudits for the 14,000+ turnout and how supportive and loud the crowd was. That had to help the weary Huskies. I won't have such a good seat next Sunday (I rotate seats with friends and for South Carolina I'll basically be hanging from the rafters). Yet I look forward to an even more enthusiastic crowd then... I just hope everyone can stay behind the Huskies if they happen to fall behind at some point.
Finally, compliments to the pre-game and half-time programs welcoming and honoring cancer survivors. It really was well done.
P.S. Those fourth-graders from Madison, I believe, who played a short 'scrimmage' at halftime were so much fun to watch. They basically traded baskets for the full extent of their game. And they were having a blast... nothing better than seeing kids playing sports.
