UConn vs CAL post game

[JoePgh]

I could only listen on the radio but the quick 3pt barrage seemed to be due to the hard double teaming and focus on Anigwe and the lack of a general 3 pt threat from Cal this season.

When the 3pt shot threat was manifested in Q1, we took it more seriously and it seemed that we did better in that department for the rest of the game.

Geno specifically confirmed this during the halftime interview. He was asked about Cal's 3-point success and whether UConn needed to adjust its defense. He said, "You can't take away everything. To defend their big player with us being small, we can't defend the three as aggressively."

Given Cal's 3-point shooting in previous games, the coaches concluded that Anigwe was the greater threat, and they focused their defensive attention on her. That effort was successful, and ultimately the threes did not beat them. Another correct call by the coaches.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I went to the game. It was the first UCONN game I have been able to see in person. Lou was a terror. She was everywhere doing everything. In the fourth quarter, she must have taken a shot to the head, because she was talking to the trainer, holding her face. She only joined the huddle later. May have slowed her down at the end of the game.

Saw Geno hug and congratulate the small guard for Cal at the end of the game.

Walker impressed me also, especially her defense of Anigwe. Without the 3 point shot, Cal doesn't stay in the game. I think Megan is back, or I should say, now ready to contribute on both ends.

Lou has taken a lot of shots to the face or head in the past two years, and I'm getting sick of it.

 

[msf22b]

The unwillingness to play the subs is entirely within UConn tradition
and (especially this season) inexcusable in my view.

 

[Carnac]

What does it say that Cal's bench gets 39min of playing time vs Uconn 2m?

It says that the "talent gap" between Cal's bench and its starters is smaller than UConn's bench and its starters.

 

[JoePgh]

The unwillingness to play the subs is entirely within UConn tradition
and (especially this season) inexcusable in my view.

Megan Walker's inability to get into games against good teams last year has had a terrible effect on her morale and her ability to make a significant contribution this year, hasn't it?

...not...

 

[JordyG]

Lou has taken a lot of shots to the face or head in the past two years, and I'm getting sick of it.

I can only imagine how Lou feels.

 

[eebmg]

I am guessing that the fact that there is a 11 day break may have added to Geno's decision not to rest the starters. Still, I am not happy that we cant get our bench to contribute any meaningful minutes with any consistency.

 

[msf22b]

Megan Walker's inability to get into games against good teams last year has had a terrible effect on her morale and her ability to make a significant contribution this year, hasn't it?

...not...

I don't think she's playing nearly to her understood potential.
To date: an example (as I stated earlier) of a player that as of yet
is not particularly profiting by the Connecticut approach.

 

[Charliebball]

I went to the game. It was the first UCONN game I have been able to see in person. Lou was a terror. She was everywhere doing everything. In the fourth quarter, she must have taken a shot to the head, because she was talking to the trainer, holding her face. She only joined the huddle later. May have slowed her down at the end of the game.

KLS gets hit in the head in almost every game.................other then being around the ball a lot I have no idea why....................

 

[nwhoopfan]

I don't see West Coast teams play often, but other than Oregon I haven't been impressed by many West Coast teams I HAVE seen in the past few years. Too much dribbling, laissez faire defense, unimaginative offenses. Sorry if you're offended, but that's what I've seen. How many West Coast teams have contended in the NCAA Tournament in recent years?

There seem to be more excellent teams everywhere this year. I remember when UConn was in the Big East they often ran teams into the ground - after halftime opposing teams could barely move their legs. Overall conditioning is now greatly improved everywhere, coaching is much better due to more young, female coaches with positive, winning attitudes and players just seem more skilled.

Well Stanford has been good for FOREVER. They had a bit of a dip after they ran out of Ogwumikes, but still managed a Final 4 a few years ago. UO is the flavor of the month but OSU has been the much better program over the last 5 years or so. Did you notice when both Washington and Oregon St. made the Final 4 in '16? It's just funny to me that this game convinced someone there's decent teams out West, Cal isn't even close to one of the top programs. Like I said earlier they'll probably finish outside the top 4 in the conference.

I agree with you, there is more competitive balance overall in women's hoops. I don't think UConn is as dominant as they used to be. Still at the top of the heap, but not invincible.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Geno keeps saying he needs his team to lose, but refuses to sub to make that possible. I know he could have played all 9 available, and still found a way to win. Wish he’d try.

I couldn't disagree more --unless you are being facetious.
However allow me to be dull minded and take you seriously: ONO in OU and Cal would have lasted a total of 1 minute and 28 seconds of game time before fouling out. Coombs may have scored may have subbed for Danger __may have. But on offense no one would guard her and she'd be the first one fouled during crunch time. Irwin isn't as tall as ONO, has experience, practices well, and the upper class men like her--yet when she gets in the score does not advance nor does the defense stop the opponent better. Geno rarely uses Molly unless the game is well in hand--what does that say?

Last season, and early this: I screamed at geno (into my TV) to play the bench more in big games. The time he played the bench to disaster to me was a planned failure. I'm and advocate of giving the bench sufficient time in good games to develop (for the most part the AAC does not fill that bill).

Yet --all in all, I believe Geno is between a roaring fire and hell, damned if he does damned if he doesn't.
He has succeeded way beyond any team with a bench of this nature should expect.

 

[Bama fan]

CB, what am I gonna do with you?

What are your options? This could be an entirely separate thread.

 

[ABCDFE]

From what I’ve seen the last two games, UConn will be in trouble if they get into foul trouble, can’t make 3s, or comes up against a really good 3 point shooting team. The post defense has been surprisingly good so far this season. It’s really the perimeter defense that still needs work.

I agree. Seems like the perimeter defense is spotty this year. Crystal can get in someone’s face and squeaks has potential defensively but right now no one close to a nurse or Jefferson on our team

 

[Plebe]

Lou is becoming a double double machine. The one obvious observation from each of the past two games is that UConn no longer has a “shutdown defender” to take opposing teams top scorers out of the game.

Last year there was great comfort in having both Gabby & Kia to lockdown opposing scorers. This year it’s going to require solid team defense to get it done.

This very thing occurred to me during the Oklahoma game. The offense was barren at times, but the apparent helplessness at time to stop OK on defense was most concerning to me. The D must get better between now and March.

 

[jonson]

I don't see West Coast teams play often, but other than Oregon I haven't been impressed by many West Coast teams I HAVE seen in the past few years. Too much dribbling, laissez faire defense, unimaginative offenses. Sorry if you're offended, but that's what I've seen. How many West Coast teams have contended in the NCAA Tournament in recent years?

I believe that 3 Pac 12 teams made the Elite 8 in 2017 (Washington, Oregon, Stanford) and 3 in 2018 (UCLA, Oregon, Oregon State). I'd call that contending at a fairly high level by 5 different teams in the conference.. I won't respond to your other comments, but they are also off-base imo. I grew up in Connecticut and so know all too well how difficult it can be to get more than a glimpse of what's happening sports-wise on the West Coast, but still. . . .

 

[Plebe]

Sorry if you're offended, but that's what I've seen. How many West Coast teams have contended in the NCAA Tournament in recent years?

Sigh. We go through this song and dance every year, it seems.

Does getting 3 different teams to the Final Four in the past 3 years not do it for you?

 

[Charliebball]

I couldn't disagree more --unless you are being facetious.
However allow me to be dull minded and take you seriously: ONO in OU and Cal would have lasted a total of 1 minute and 28 seconds of game time before fouling out. Coombs may have scored may have subbed for Danger __may have. But on offense no one would guard her and she'd be the first one fouled during crunch time. Irwin isn't as tall as ONO, has experience, practices well, and the upper class men like her--yet when she gets in the score does not advance nor does the defense stop the opponent better. Geno rarely uses Molly unless the game is well in hand--what does that say?

Last season, and early this: I screamed at geno (into my TV) to play the bench more in big games. The time he played the bench to disaster to me was a planned failure. I'm and advocate of giving the bench sufficient time in good games to develop (for the most part the AAC does not fill that bill).

Yet --all in all, I believe Geno is between a roaring fire and hell, damned if he does damned if he doesn't.
He has succeeded way beyond any team with a bench of this nature should expect.

two of those folks sitting on the bench will be next year's starters..............I haven't seen a game yet this year where Geno couldn't have given this year's starters a strategic breather.............like you said AAC minutes are great but rarely do they equal the kind of competitive intensity of the better OOC games..............come on Geno give them 3-5 minutes each............the starters will thank you and I will too

 

[southofnorth]

Tell you what, if the last two teams were not good at shooting 3's, let me know when that team arrives.

Cal averaged less than 6 made threes a game. The past two teams started hot but couldn’t keep it up. I’m talking about a team that regularly makes 3s and ACTUALLY hits them. Both DePaul and Notre Dame are typically good 3 point shooting teams but struggled to make open looks. Oklahoma and Cal aren’t known for their 3 point shooting. Imagine letting Asia Durr get open looks from 3. She can make them contested so an open look would be like a layup for her.

 

[bbballfan23]

I said it before the season & I’ll continue to say it. The combo of Lou & Pheesa is unmatched & the gap is widening with each game. Each time one of them gets the ball you just feel like something great is about to happen. Enjoy this while we can because this duo is SCARY.

 

[Bama fan]

According to the chat room the girl kls is defending decided not to try to rebound this year

The chat room is a legendary source of accurate information, Unbiased, reasonable, phlegmatic , thoughtful comments galore!

 

[Kaizen]

Yeah!!! Pheesa threw a blanket over Anigwe today holding her to 5/16 from the field.

And Phessa has zero foul. That is amazing.

 

[Bama fan]

Lou has taken a lot of shots to the face or head in the past two years, and I'm getting sick of it.

I bet she hates it more than you, but it is good to have commiseration.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Yeah!!! Pheesa threw a blanket over Anigwe today holding her to 5/16 from the field.

Yes. I thought Pheesa played a remarkable game on defense. Off the scale impressive. I don't think Geno has grounds to rib her about her defense anymore. She is a great collegiate basketball player. Full stop.

 

[Shades]

 

[HuskyNan]

When a team has a power house sub, who needs to keep their score??
I rarely feel sorry for Geno but I do this year--His naturally 8 or7 or 9 rotation is ZERO beyond the 5. Where do you go to get a defensive stopper or someone to pop a few (and actually make them). Geno lamented recently his team was playing 3 on five--but what does he do beyond 5? Crappy place or a coach to be.

Geno has never has a regular rotation of 8-9 players. When that many players got into a game, it was because the bench got in after the Huskies were up big late. Watch some of the games in the archives. Commentators were always talking about Geno’s limited benches, most particularly in the last 10 years.

 

[Centerstream]

Geno keeps saying he needs his team to lose, but refuses to sub to make that possible. I know he could have played all 9 available, and still found a way to win. Wish he’d try.

Geno would not mind seeing the team lose if they are outplayed but he sure as h*ll isn't going to put subs in a close game just so that the team loses. What do you think that the starters would do in practices and games after that, continue to play their hearts out???? I doubt it but then you would be happy because Geno would bench them and your dream to have the subs playing would come true.

 

[diggerfoot]

When Auriemma recruits he has a distinctive product to "sell." All reports are that he is very straightforward about the costs and benefits, more than most coaches that try to sway recruits with saccharin. He has delivered well on the product he "sells." You can agree or disagree with how he doles out minutes, but those are the three things a coach needs to do: offer a distinctive product, be honest about what that product entails and deliver on that product. He is doing precisely what his job and integrity requires.

Having said that, he has changed in regards to using a bench. Irwin similar to Gardler in many ways, in how she is utilized and playing on a team with multiple first team AAs. Though both used a lot as posts, Irwin is two inches taller and is at least as skilled as Gardler. However, Gardler even as a freshman played over 10 minutes a game .... and was 8th or 9th on the depth chart (9th before Doty was injured). 2009-2010 squad went similarly deep. We know about the deep squads around the turn of the century. They were deeper in the 1990s than they are now, but the talent gap from 1 -10 generally was not as steep as in modern times.

I have my own speculation as to why Auriemma has grown more reluctant to use the bench in recent times, but it is speculation from an arm chair coach who has won 1,000+ less games. He offers a product, he's honest about what the product involves and he delivers. Though some dissatisfaction may be natural, including my own, neither the fans nor the players can demand more than that.

 

[BobbyJ]

The unwillingness to play the subs is entirely within UConn tradition
and (especially this season) inexcusable in my view.

As I've said before, no matter what he says to the media, Auriemma is never going to risk losing a game to develop subs. Never has, never will.

 

[mudcat]

They're a good team. I concur with another poster that hopes this series with Cal continues for a long time. It will bring UConn to Cali every other year. There are a lot of UConn Women's BB team fans out here. More than you'd think.

Would likely also help with recruiting CA kids.

 

[BobbyJ]

What does it say that Cal's bench gets 39min of playing time vs Uconn 2m?

Just that Gottlieb wants to develop her bench and Auriemma just wants to win games.