UCONN vs. SC post game thread (merged)

[EricLA]

Well... who could have predicted that? Q1 was really solid, Q2 a thing of beauty, Q3 - I thought SC might blitz us after the halftime lecture I'm sure Dawn gave them, and frankly I didn't care what happened in Q4 - the damage was done. But... we basically outplayed them in EVERY quarter. Holy cow!!

I'm not going to speak in hyperbole regarding the future this season, nor even discuss it. Just going to enjoy this game, which to me was totally unexpected. 3 things shocked me in the first half:

• Jana's play, AND going 2-2 from the FT line
• Ash going 3-3 from 3
• All of that lead was done with average output from Paige and Azzi

Then obviously Azzi caught fire and showed us the potential she has. Every player contributed. Even in an off shooting night for Paige (3-12, but a double-double and a host of boards), this TEAM still played great for a hard fought and well earned win. A couple shout outs...

• Azzi in the 2nd half - just wow
• Jana battled
• Sarah with a double double
• Ash on fire in the first half
• Kait was solid
• Paige was a real leader in spite of an off-shooting night
• KK was a terror
• Aubrey made some FT's, got several assists and rebounds
• Our rebounding was fierce

Just gonna bask in the glow of this tremendous win. Possibly the best non-NCAA tourney win in a LONG time.

 

[oldude]

Some thoughts on the SC game:

• YESSSSSSS!!!
• OK now, tell me someone on the BY had a 29-pt spread with the Huskies winning in Sarge's pool?
• For many years the late season OOC game between UConn & SC has served as a measuring stick for both teams ahead of the Big Dance. The Huskies dominated the rivalry for a long time. But the edge has swung over to the Gamecocks over the past 5-6 seasons. Today it was a much different story as the Huskies came out fired up and playing their absolute best basketball of the season!!!
• Stunning 1st half for the Huskies, as UConn played great defense while outrebounding SC 23-13, winning the turnover battle 3 to 9, as well as outshooting the Gamecocks by a lot.
• Ash took the lid off the basket and her teammates followed as the Huskies hit 7/14 from the arc at the half and 13/28 for the game.
• During the 2nd half there was some back and forth, but every time SC even thought about making a run, Azzi buried a shot, usually off an assist from Paige.
• Jana gave UConn her very best game of the season during arguably the biggest game of the season, and she's only going to get better.
• These are the games you live for as a fan if UConn WBB!!!
• With the upset win today, the Huskies look very good for at least a 2 seed and possibly a 1 seed for the Big Dance, depending on what happens with the other highly ranked teams during the remainder of their regular season schedules and conference tournaments.

 

[ochoopsfan]

 

[Bone Dog]

Contrary to popular opinion on the BY, it turns out we are athletic enough to give a spanking to the team usually deemed the most athletic in D1

 

[BlueHen]

Great win!

 

[Geew1992]

No one has this on their bingo card

 

[victor64]

-The staff should patent what ever measures they took to fix the defensive breakdowns from Tennessee to today.

-Ashlynn was the difference in the first half. She was everywhere. Her shooting cooled in the second but if there was a hustle play stat, she would lead the world.

-Maybe, just maybe, Jana has turned the corner.

-Azzi was 2/10 in the first half and all ten were great looks but to her credit, she didn’t stop shooting. To pick a nit, she has to start knocking down those mid range looks.

-Today, Strong was better than Edwards.

-Side note, Fulwiley’s block on Sarah was jaw dropping.

-Like UConn in their previous losses, USC’s struggled mightily from three.

-This win, puts the Huskies back in the Final Four and and national championship discussion.

-Congrats to the team and staff for quickly righting the ship after Tennessee. Snapping a 71 Gamecock home winning streak has to be a huge confidence boost.

 

[jcoton56]

Just wow. Not that its a win, buts how we won. Put that stuff in a bottle!

 

[maple]

Signature win of the season (so far)!!!!

 

[yhun89]

A ranked game win where PB didn’t shoot well?? We’re so back.

GREAT effort from Jana. She’s looking better.

Defensively, amazing. Rebounding was a welcome surprise. +16 on the glass for UCONN.

Azzi was a monster. PaoPao shot the lights out to beat us last year, Azzi took that spot this time around. All around scoring versatility as well, love the head fakes and drives/pullups. Third Quarter Azzi is a beast.

Her release is quicker than anything I’ve ever seen. It’s like she’s shooting the ball before it reaches her hands.

KK defense was harrassing and put most players she was on out of rhythm. Aubrey did a great job on the glass in her limited minutes as well.

Sarah showed up, got out of that slump, and proved why she deserves FOTY.

Coach had a great defensive scheme , great use on the help to try and keep them out the paint.

 

[maxw]

How I wish this was the ncaa finals!

 

[HuskyinWRNY]

Amazing effort, by the whole team. I hope the men were watching, they could use a lesson or two.

 

[jcoton56]

Thats the blueprint!

 

[Vowelguy]

Would love to see the post game hug of Azzi with her parents.

 

[JeannoCT]

So proud of this team. So many different players contributing at different times in this game.

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

All I got to say is WOW!

 

[PJCLaw]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's how you stay on a team's throat! No let up, AT ALL!!!!!

 

[housekeys]

Vintage UConn.

 

[caseyb7]

Most satisfying game in a while, longer than a year.

All the exciting, skillful things we love showed up. We know they’re there but they’re been hurt, rehabing or out-of-sync. Today the ingredients jelled.

Aubrey, Azzi, everyone played like they were healthy. With Aubrey, KK, Chen, etc – we looked FAST – like the old days. We turned people over, disrupted passes, stuck our arms out and took them out of their comfort zone.

THIS is the team America wants to see and knows it exists. I hope it is a steppingstone to the form we need for post-season as we are far from perfect. The higher ranked teams have proven themselves top-tier week to week. We have been good, but often not great.
The fast, short, aggressive lineup worked well against SC, probably will work some postseason but would help if our front court matures.

Today – I'm smiling.

 

[Kaizen]

Just MY God, My God, My God...

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[Happydad745]

We watched the team we always knew existed, it decided to come out of hiding against SC....a total team effort and it showed.

 

[cellocgg]

straight belt to ass

 

[REB1094]

That was fun.

SHOUTOUT AZZI FUDD!!!!!!