UConn vs UCF game thread

[JordyG]

Brook McCarty misses an open 3pt to tie. She is snake bit. Still want her taking the final shot.

Hey give WVa credit. Texas too. Both teams played hard. At least McCarty didn't score 34 and Holmes pull down 27 boards and they still lose by 1.

 

[housekeys]

Down 30 with a minute left and they decide they are going to press? Classless!

Nah. The coach and UCF are not to blame. Blame the referees, who allowed the game to be played this way. I do not mind our bench being challenged, but do mind they not get mauled. The possibility of injury is the issue. I would have felt better about the press if Nat could have converted those layups.

 

[eebmg]

Mostly I agree. She got caught twice on those quick lob passes inside and dribbled the ball off of her foot for turnovers. She also quick shot a few times, all of which can make Geno lose his mind, and if there were a longer bench would've earned her a seat. Nevertheless she's just so much better on both sides of the ball now that keeping her on the bench even next year is not an option. She, in my opinion is the wild card for the tourney.

I agree that the quick shooting can get on Geno's nerves but the reverse (indecision and lack of confidence) is far worse. She is looking alot like the upperclassman version of MoJett on both ends and is essentially an even better pure passer. If MD is in our bracket, I will enjoy the freshman matchup between Crystal Dangerfield and Destiny Slocum.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Nice shot of THE Nykesha Sales on the UCF bench.

Nice ring she is wearing on the third finger of her left hand.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Nat denies CD another great assist.

Both Chong and Danger lost some assists today.

 

[johnnyc]

?

It's tournament time. The starters have been conditioned all season for this and have experience from last season.

 

[eebmg]

Hey give WVa credit. Texas too. Both teams played hard. At least McCarty didn't score 34 and Holmes pull down 27 boards and they still lose by 1.

Never intended to slight WV but I do not have much info on them and therefore, no feelings. Seeing McCarty play so well and with so much poise in the TX wars against Baylor and FSU made me a big fan so I feel her pain.

 

[VAMike23]

It's tournament time. The starters have been conditioned all season for this and have experience from last season.

Of course they *can* at this point. They could probably go another 20 mins if needed, to preserve the W.

My point was that when you have a game tomorrow, you can and should think about sitting them a bit earlier when you have a big lead.

 

[1-of-the-6]

Nah. The coach and UCF are not to blame. Blame the referees, who allowed the game to be played this way. I do not mind our bench being challenged, but do mind they not get mauled. The possibility of injury is the issue. I would have felt better about the press if Nat could have converted those layups.

I agree with what you say about the referees, but the press was certainly unnecessary, and either the coach ordered it, or could have called it off. Also, during UCONN's last possession, they start to drop back and let the game end, but then race up and put on a double-team. Sorry, but that's cheap garbage. If you're a coach with class, your team doesn't do that.

 

[JustinesGuy]

Anyone surprised Kyla doesn't get more burn? Especially in the 2nd half?

Anyone surprised UCF were pressing with 2:00 left and we had our bench in? I mean what kinda chit is that?

We should have put our starters back in and pressed them!!

 

[JustinesGuy]

I agree with what you say about the referees, but the press was certainly unnecessary, and either the coach ordered it, or could have called it off. Also, during UCONN's last possession, they start to drop back and let the game end, but then race up and put on a double-team. Sorry, but that's cheap garbage. If you're a coach with class, your team doesn't do that.

U beat me too it!!

First year coach setting a tone? Still bull chit

 

[Gus Mahler]

I agree with what you say about the referees, but the press was certainly unnecessary, and either the coach ordered it, or could have called it off. Also, during UCONN's last possession, they start to drop back and let the game end, but then race up and put on a double-team. Sorry, but that's cheap garbage. If you're a coach with class, your team doesn't do that.

Reminds me of the 2000 Championship game.

 

[JustinesGuy]

Just a few observations from tonights game. I was lucky enough to be sitting pretty close to the floor:

1. Great crowd the arena was probably 80% packed. I know its smaller than XL but it was still a solid crowd. I do miss the Intro/Video of champions are not born but made here at upon video they do at XL. I do get this is not technically a home game but a tournament..

2. Kia looked tentative and not 100% strong especially in the beginning of the game. The first play of the game was a Kia breakaway I was totally holding my breath.

3. UCF came to play today. They have some shooters and played physical. I certainly think we brought our B- game. I know Geno will Not be happy tonight. If we play like this in the final 4 we may not advance. Please don't take that comment as we played poorly i just didn't see our usually defense and crispness. I think we had streaks of that but not the majority of the game.

4. Butler was way off today. She was pissed at her self. She really has worked hard getting in better shape after her thumb injury but she needs to work on agility drills, she is so stiff. Someone page Tony Horton. I wish I got to see more Kyla. Granted I'm NOT at practice but I wish she would get more run, especially in the second half.

5. No Justine- Buzz Kill.


I think everyone just wants to get to the NCAA tournament, this conference is so boring. Fast forward to the elite 8 and let the games begin.

 

[osceola48]

UCF has fallen twice to the floor while dribbling without a walk being called. What up?

I saw those as well, and I yelled at the TV for the travel calls, but the refs didn't hear me!

There were lots of other non-calls that should have been calls. And I really don't understand the foul called on KLS when she was backpedaling and trying hard to get out of the way but the UCF player kept dribbling and running right at her. KLS wasn't defending or blocking. She can't just disappear. I think it was either a charge or a no-call, but not a foul on KLS.

 

[JordyG]

I saw those as well, and I yelled at the TV for the travel calls, but the refs didn't hear me!

There were lots of other non-calls that should have been calls. And I really don't understand the foul called on KLS when she was backpedaling and trying hard to get out of the way but the UCF player kept dribbling and running right at her. KLS wasn't defending or blocking. She can't just disappear. I think it was either a charge or a no-call, but not a foul on KLS.

At the end there was a 3rd fall and the refs failed to see that one as well. C'est la vie.

 

[donalddoowop]

I saw those as well, and I yelled at the TV for the travel calls, but the refs didn't hear me!

There were lots of other non-calls that should have been calls. And I really don't understand the foul called on KLS when she was backpedaling and trying hard to get out of the way but the UCF player kept dribbling and running right at her. KLS wasn't defending or blocking. She can't just disappear. I think it was either a charge or a no-call, but not a foul on KLS.

The refs heard you. They just ignored you.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

“Crystal was a big factor on both ends,” Auriemma said. “She was a big factor on the defensive ends because this was one of the better defensive games she has played this year. And offensively, I thought her and Saniya did a really good job of pushing the pace, which obviously got everyone else involved.”

 

[Buzzyboy]

Man, you'd a-hated Dean Smith's Carolina 4-Corners, back in the old days.

Didn't we all? That isn't basketball, that's chess and boring as hell!

 

[hoophuskee]

Man, talk about having a silver lining, and searching desperately for that gray cloud...

Remember. If we were to blow everyone out by 50 points then the narrative for some would be the team is having too easy of a time and overdue to inevitably get beat. So once they ultimately lose it will someday be "You see, I told you so"

 

[hoophuskee]

Just a few observations from tonights game. I was lucky enough to be sitting pretty close to the floor:

1. Great crowd the arena was probably 80% packed. I know its smaller than XL but it was still a solid crowd. I do miss the Intro/Video of champions are not born but made here at upon video they do at XL. I do get this is not technically a home game but a tournament..

2. Kia looked tentative and not 100% strong especially in the beginning of the game. The first play of the game was a Kia breakaway I was totally holding my breath.

3. UCF came to play today. They have some shooters and played physical. I certainly think we brought our B- game. I know Geno will Not be happy tonight. If we play like this in the final 4 we may not advance. Please don't take that comment as we played poorly i just didn't see our usually defense and crispness. I think we had streaks of that but not the majority of the game.

4. Butler was way off today. She was pissed at her self. She really has worked hard getting in better shape after her thumb injury but she needs to work on agility drills, she is so stiff. Someone page Tony Horton. I wish I got to see more Kyla. Granted I'm NOT at practice but I wish she would get more run, especially in the second half.

5. No Justine- Buzz Kill.


I think everyone just wants to get to the NCAA tournament, this conference is so boring. Fast forward to the elite 8 and let the games begin.

There is little to take away from these games other than getting Kia healthy, getting Danger more confident, and hopefully getting Nat confident. Whether we play B- or C+ etc doesn't mean anything. They aren't going to play consistently A or A+ without Kia Nurse. One game sure. But Kia Nurse has been a starter on championship teams for a reason. You just don't easily replace that with the Saniya/Danger combo and expect the ship will run at near efficient capacity. For example, go back to that Texas game. Nurse was outstanding. She is a shell of that player at the moment. When healthy she gives the team another viable, strong threat.

 

[BigBird]

There is little to take away from these games other than getting Kia healthy, getting Danger more confident, and hopefully getting Nat confident. Whether we play B- or C+ etc doesn't mean anything. They aren't going to play consistently A or A+ without Kia Nurse. One game sure. But Kia Nurse has been a starter on championship teams for a reason. You just don't easily replace that with the Saniya/Danger combo and expect the ship will run at near efficient capacity. For example, go back to that Texas game. Nurse was outstanding. She is a shell of that player at the moment. When healthy she gives the team another viable, strong threat.

Natalie had a fairly crummy day. She made a couple of good plays, then some mistakes. Even on TV, she appeared to be getting in her own head and failing to concentrate. She will keep working and have a good AAC final. I am not going to give up on her, or ANY of our kids...and I know you won't either.

 

[j66kicker]

Another Dangerfield-to-Collier pass on the break for the lay-in on Sports Center just now, along with "Katie Lou Samuelson joins UConn royalty with this three."

 

[JellyBean]

Watching the game now. 2nd quarter action.