UConn vs St John’s postgame

[darkstar1]

I am not a doubter. Kk, Ash and K9 all bring something a little different to the game. If K9 and Blanca were starters over Serah and either KK or Ash, I’d feel the same way about KK and Ash getting equal time. There have been many games where the team has simply played better when K9 and Blanca are in there with Azzi and Sarah. I’m just saying that if K9 is playing well, I feel Geno will give her more play. It’s just opinion. We shall see.

 

[Skeets]

Honestly, I think Serah was waiting for this time of year. Azzi and Sarah are All Americans and she realized she wasn't in Wisconsin anymore. I think it is a matter of desire but the offense is not exactly a pound it inside game. She is not a natural at all on the high post although she does have a decent shot from there. She also can pass and defend. I will take last night's game for the next 9 and so will a lot of W teams. Let's see over the weekend.

Every kid has aspirations. I don't know what Serah aspires to, but if it's a basketball career after UConn, she didn't do herself any favors during the regular season. I suspected that the whole reason she came to UConn was to embellish her resume for post-graduation. That hasn't happened, yet.

 

[Dogdude]

Looking back over the past few weeks, it's pretty obvious who your starters are. If you look at minutes played, it's equally clear who Geno think of as his rocks. Azzi, Sarah and Ash are the top minute getters, and KK is right up there, with K9 being closer to doing the things that KK can do. As good as the bench players are that are the first ones off the bench, they're not going to greatly diminish anyone else's minutes. At this point it's done deal, playtime is over.

 

[Basingstoke]

When (if?) we get deep in the tournament, Serah and Jana will be hugely valuable without scoring if they can neutralize the opponents bigs. Defense and rebounds are all we need. Scoring on top of that would be gravy.

Watching them in warm-ups, it really seems like Jana has a very good mid-range shot, and I can't wait for her to integrate it into the offense - it would really help in keeping opponent's defense honest.

 

[HopJim]

Most of all I'm really happy with Serah's performance. UConn will need games like that from her in the Dance. Also glad she and Kayleigh shone bright at MSG. It hadn't occurred to me until the announcers mentioned it that this is Serah's first opportunity to play meaningful postseason games. So however disappointed the fans are in her performance during the regular season, the time coming up may be the primary reason she's at UConn.

This is the second game in a row in which Shade shot a lot, and poorly, in the fourth quarter. I'm wondering if she has instructions that maybe she's not entirely comfortable with. She shot plenty and well in the first.

The first four off the bench look ready for the postseason. I'm glad Caroline scored a basket.

Likely a result of the random substitution patterns in Q4, Ash often got ball late in the shot clock pretty far from basket.

 

[sun]

Quite frankly, I don't care where Serah ends up with her future basketball career.
The players are more than simply college basketball players, their value is as human beings.
It's like what Maya Moore is doing today, living her life & being happy without basketball.
Having a family life & serving a greater purpose is what's important to many people as opposed to having a carreer in professional sports.
IMO Serah gets a few too many knocks by fans.
She's a wonderful player and an important asset to the team.
UConn has had star players who couldn't get the job done of winning a NC.
If Serah can help win #13, then that's all that really matters and could represent a lifetime achievement for her and for her sister teammates.
I'll bet that for the rest of all of their lives that they won't care if any of them goes on to being a pro in the WNBA or not.
If they can win a NC title together then that can never be taken away.
And if UConn doesn't win then I'm positive that it won't be Serah's fault
Don't blame her, blame the coaches for not doing their job of managing the team & instructing the players better.

 

[rubymae4]

I don't think you have to conclude that she did anything like that. I think she was just not as motivated, engaged, or intense previously. She is playing for the W now. Let's see if I am accurate in my analysis.

If the WNBA has been her goal, she should have been thinking and preparing for it and should have possessed the motivation, engagement, and intensity long before she got to UConn. And after a full offseason and season practicing and playing under the UConn staff, if she still hasn't managed to muster up those 3 traits, there's something wrong with her compete level. With the teammates she has at UConn, that light should have come on no later than last October if not way before. And if this is the case, this may only be part of her problem and I'll leave it at that.

Every kid has aspirations. I don't know what Serah aspires to, but if it's a basketball career after UConn, she didn't do herself any favors during the regular season. I suspected that the whole reason she came to UConn was to embellish her resume for post-graduation. That hasn't happened, yet.

I’d like it if the board as a whole could avoid guessing at a player’s goals, motivations, etc.
None of us have any idea what Sereh wants now or in the future. Let’s stick to observable behavior (i.e., her play in games).

 

[donalddoowop]

While UConn's offense prioritizes movement, an effective post scorer would be happily integrated into the offense. When Serah did get her opportunitite this year, it looked more like a lack of confidence than lack of skill/ability.

When (if?) we get deep in the tournament, Serah and Jana will be hugely valuable without scoring if they can neutralize the opponents bigs. Defense and rebounds are all we need. Scoring on top of that would be gravy.

I blame Jana's and Serah's teammates for their struggles as much as anything because their attempts at feeding the post where all Jana and Serah have to do is turn and shoot or take no more than one dribble to shoot. Crooks is shorter than both of them and has no trouble getting the ball where she can operate successfully and Iowa has no trouble feeding their post player. Many other teams are better at feeding the post than UConn except when they feed Strong.

 

[BBallF]

Every kid has aspirations. I don't know what Serah aspires to, but if it's a basketball career after UConn, she didn't do herself any favors during the regular season. I suspected that the whole reason she came to UConn was to embellish her resume for post-graduation. That hasn't

I blame Jana's and Serah's teammates for their struggles as much as anything because their attempts at feeding the post where all Jana and Serah have to do is turn and shoot or take no more than one dribble to shoot. Crooks is shorter than both of them and has no trouble getting the ball where she can operate successfully and Iowa has no trouble feeding their post player. Many other teams are better at feeding the post than UConn except when they feed Strong.

Different offenses. In our offense, the center first receives the ball at the foul line with her back to the basket not in the low post or on the block. Eventually it can get there but you have 3 outside shooters in Ash, Sarah and Azzi who often take the shot before the ball can go below. . I do agree that many of the low post passes were to the wrong place or not where the player could best handle them. I think that is one of the things that will get refined in the next two weeks. Especially with an improved Serah and Jana.

 

[JellyBean]

For me, like a few have already stated, it was the balanced scoring attack out there that is what impresses me the most. we got several ways to beat other teams and that is what makes us so dangerous. Not many teams have decent defenders or help defenders. We can attack teams inside and outside. Love it! Great win. Now let's go and dominate the Big East tournament.

 

[H Dog]

Looking back over the past few weeks, it's pretty obvious who your starters are. If you look at minutes played, it's equally clear who Geno think of as his rocks. Azzi, Sarah and Ash are the top minute getters, and KK is right up there, with K9 being closer to doing the things that KK can do. As good as the bench players are that are the first ones off the bench, they're not going to greatly diminish anyone else's minutes. At this point it's done deal, playtime is over.

Good points, I agree with your general premise and believe that when it gets to the games that really matter Geno will go with and stay with his proven commodities in pursuit of NC # 13. Look no further than the one truly tight game in the last 45,Michigan. Sarah played 40 minutes, Azzi 39, KK 37 and Ash 31, Serah was next with 24. Geno will not jeopardize the ultimate goal for the sake of spreading out the minutes evenly no matter how talented the non starters may be or their potential. The one exception would be Blanca getting substantial minutes as the 1st option off the bench as she can play the 2,3 or 4 spots exceptionally well when she’s on. If the games tight and we need size and Sarah or Serah are in foul trouble then Jana will get minutes and similarly if Azzi, KK or Ash are in foul trouble or if the latter 2 are performing subpar then Kaleigh and Allie will get their playing time. As you said,play time is over and now it’s time to take care of business and Geno will do that first and foremost with his battle tested proven warriors.

 

[hoophuskee]

I blame Jana's and Serah's teammates for their struggles as much as anything because their attempts at feeding the post where all Jana and Serah have to do is turn and shoot or take no more than one dribble to shoot. Crooks is shorter than both of them and has no trouble getting the ball where she can operate successfully and Iowa has no trouble feeding their post player. Many other teams are better at feeding the post than UConn except when they feed Strong.

I don't agree. I'm not a scout for sure but it looks to me like Serah isn't a back-to-the-basket post player in the way someone like Crooks is. I think she gets too easily pushed off balance. Sometimes I almost feel like i get tired just watching her fighting so hard trying to establish low post position and it doesn't seem like she can hold it. And when she goes up for a physical post shot I think she can be apt to get knocked off balance. IMO she is more of a quick hitter jumper in the lane type of player. .

On the flipside Sarah and Audi Crooks can more easily take bumps in the lane and it won’t affect them. Plus with their wider base, they can more easily receive passes/establish position in the post. IMO that's why there isn't much issue at all getting Sarah the pass in the post and probably the same with Crooks.

And if we’re going to speak of blame, imo it’s the Big East. I believe her strength is her Defense, not her Offense unlike someone like Crooks. The Big East Bigs either aren’t scourers or they are more perimeter scorers. But when it comes more to higher quality teams like Notre Dame and Tennessee she did well because those type of teams have the better athletes more inclined to be mid-range scorers or face-the basket but mroe athelte type scorers and quick rebounders that rely on that athleticism to play well/win games. And this is more pro-like. And this fits her style as a defender more. ANd imo a better prospect than Crooks.

 

[Charliebball]

better late than never.........start at 8:10

 

[Superhuskies]

Last Sunday night, two large hot dogs, large soda, in paper cup...= $30.....On way back to my nearby seat, dropped one ($10) hot dog on carpeting......oooops !....soccer kicked it out of way........nice carpeting....!

 

[Superhuskies]

Was late, parked on side street ( W. 31st ?), big garage,......thought it might be $30 ...but 3? hrs parking. = $52.....🫨

 

[Superhuskies]

Post game, fairly big, loud cheering crowd outside, by closed-off bus area.....