UConn-Xavier postgame thread

[Centerstream]

Like Morgan Valley was the Rutgers killer

And Aubrey was the Seton Hall killer.

 

[JoePgh]

Waiting to see if anyone tries to complain about anything. 😂

OK, I'll start.

Does the substitution pattern definitely indicate that Jana is no longer in the regular rotation? She did not appear on the floor until midway through the third quarter. After Serah got two fouls in the first half, I expected to see her, but she was glued to the bench.

Is she officially in Chateau Bowwow with Geno? Has she practiced poorly? Did she have a minor injury? This inquiring mind wants to know. I would think that her performance in last year's NCAA tournament would have earned her a little more patience from Geno than she received in this game.

I will acknowledge that her performance once she got in the game was nothing to send a telegram to Egypt about. But, as with Ashlynn, Allie, and K9, she needs minutes and in-game reps to get back her last-season mojo.

On the positive side, I wonder if those were concerned with whether Allie and Ashlynn had lost their 3-point shot are quieted by this game. What remains to be demonstrated is whether they can shoot at this level against top competition when the game is on the line. They will soon have an opportunity to demonstrate that (or not).

I thought Blanca had a reasonably good game, and I was glad to see the big minutes that she got. She obviously isn't used to US-style charge-block calls and the absence of a restricted area near the basket. Fouls are what will limit her, if anything does, and I have to believe that she will acclimate to this side of the pond in a few more games.

 

[Basingstoke]

Great game. So good to see UCONN not playing down to the level of the competition.
In addition to every starter, there was so much to like in the efforts of everyone on the bench who played. Maybe Caroline didn't score, but she sure defended, rebounded and facilitated.
I know that a lot of shots went in, but it was wonderful to see everyone continuing to defend and attack even after missing shots.
It's so good to imagine what the future growth will look like for all our newbies and returning injured players.

 

[iri10]

We shot better from 3 than from 2 - wowzers.

We were just one made 2 point shot away from a remarkable stat: 50% from 3, 50% from 2, with a 50/50 distribution of 2- and 3-point shots. (18-36 from each)

 

[Majorthreat]

Great conference game for us. A few things I noticed.

Ziebell is a second-half player. I think she has to work up a sweat before she gets comfortable.

Ashlynn’s shot started to fall. Her last few shots were heat check ones, but she needed this performance.

Is ICE hurt? She hasn’t played in 4 games since Michigan.

I would like to see Azzi and Sarah get a lil more playing time, maybe 5 more minutes to play 29 or 30. I know the game is out of reach but all games will be. To be an all-American you need numbers. Sarah was on pace to get a triple-double. Accomplishments like this matter.

Our 3-pointers were flowing. Ball movement and assist were at a premium today. 26 assist on 35 made shots. Only 10 turnovers. 6 players in double figures.

Blanca with the 2 quick fouls in the first half, took herself out the game.

 

[fomalhaut]

They mentioned on the telecast that Geno had laid down the law about coming out in the second half with the same intensity. They got the message, it seems (35-11 in the third). Granting that Xavier is not a very strong opponent, the bench played extremely well. They won the fourth quarter 20-3 with no starters seeing the floor, and getting all 13 healthy players in the game (everyone but Ducharme scored, and she had 4 RB and 2 assists). It's going to be a hard team to beat if they have four or five serious 3-point threats, with all the other things they do as well as anyone. 15-24 from Fudd, Shade, Ziebell, and Heckel (in roughly that order).

 

[and one]

Waiting to see if anyone tries to complain about anything. 😂

Ok, I'll be the one. Not a complaint really, just an observation. Our outside shooting was outstanding, record breaking. Ash and Allie rained threes and both needed that. It was great to see so many players make so many shots.

But. I would have preferred to see more points scored via drives to the basket, fast breaks, give and goes, dumping to a big for easy baskets and that kind of thing. We are a much better team than Xavier and have much better athletes. Too much of this win was hitting open shots, which is great, but doesn't show just how much better our athletes are.

Most impressive basket - somewhere in first half ball is being passed around the perimeter and comes to Sarah. She seemed to be looking to make a quick pass, noticed that no one was in her face, shot and made an easy 3 almost as an after thought and casually jogged down court. Just so cool.😎

 

[UConn2SF]

Something about playing Xavier brings the best out of Allie. 16 today and 17 last season. She's 10-16 on 3s in those 2 games.

 

[freshler40]

Also shout out to Kelis since she seems to be the post whisperer on this team. I felt like she was the guard that set up the bigs the best. I know it was mop up minutes but she had the entry passes.

Lot to love about Kelis, she ran the offense well and smooth. When she was on the court things happened for the good. Heckel also had a very good game with many rebounds. She has a nose for ball and moves downcourt well. Loved all of our guard play today.

 

[uconnever]

imho bianca played within the offense and don’t see your negative take

She didn’t play well, but that’s ok, she’s far from home and it’s a different style of play that she has to adjust to. Anyone should be able to see that she will eventually be one of our best players, as I’ve said before about Allie too.

 

[jcoton56]

I like that 13 players combined for 10 TOs

 

[my2cents]

Great game, even though we missed OUR FIRST FIVE SHOTS, ALL THREE'S. ( as we were reminded 10 times).
I thought KK's defense was next level
Allie feeling it can make us pretty tough.
Our second team would be ranked by themselves.

 

[veivoli]

Is ICE hurt? She hasn’t played in 4 games since Michigan.

Yes. Reported as having an inflamed knee.

 

[BRS24]

Does the substitution pattern definitely indicate that Jana is no longer in the regular rotation? She did not appear on the floor until midway through the third quarter. After Serah got two fouls in the first half, I expected to see her, but she was glued to the bench.

Is she officially in Chateau Bowwow with Geno? Has she practiced poorly? Did she have a minor injury? This inquiring mind wants to know. I would think that her performance in last year's NCAA tournament would have earned her a little more patience from Geno than she received in this game.

Maybe it was a matchup thing. Maybe her pre-season injury is still nagging. We'll never know.

On a different note, is Allie's shot quicker this year or am I misremembering?

 

[Charliebball]

One fun stat I heard on the radio is that Allie’s last highest three point game (5) was also against Xavier last year. Nice job, Allie! 🙂

I saw some people mention that we were shooting a lot of 3s this game. Can’t help but wonder if that might have been a point of emphasis today to try and get some of our perimeter shooters back into rhythm.

It’s a BE game. Expectations were met, I’d say.

UConn had a huge size advantage inside today, so you would think Geno would have emphasized feeding the post as opposed to simply shooting threes.......turns out that Xavier's interior defense wasn't that bad in terms of giving up unchallenged shots....

 

[Forego]

Like Morgan Valley was the Rutgers killer

With regard to being a Rutgers killer, Morgan’s sister Ashley might hold the gold medal for getting C. Vivian Stringer POBAR. After losing to UConn, Stringer said that they were beaten by that “no name”, referring to Ashley. Although UConn jerseys do not have player’s names on them I was hoping a one time exception would be made for the next Rutgers game by having Ashley’s jersey have “NO NAME” stitched on the back.

 

[mainerhuski]

OK, I'll start.

Does the substitution pattern definitely indicate that Jana is no longer in the regular rotation? She did not appear on the floor until midway through the third quarter. After Serah got two fouls in the first half, I expected to see her, but she was glued to the bench.

Is she officially in Chateau Bowwow with Geno? Has she practiced poorly? Did she have a minor injury? This inquiring mind wants to know. I would think that her performance in last year's NCAA tournament would have earned her a little more patience from Geno than she received in this game.

I will acknowledge that her performance once she got in the game was nothing to send a telegram to Egypt about. But, as with Ashlynn, Allie, and K9, she needs minutes and in-game reps to get back her last-season mojo.

On the positive side, I wonder if those were concerned with whether Allie and Ashlynn had lost their 3-point shot are quieted by this game. What remains to be demonstrated is whether they can shoot at this level against top competition when the game is on the line. They will soon have an opportunity to demonstrate that (or not).

I thought Blanca had a reasonably good game, and I was glad to see the big minutes that she got. She obviously isn't used to US-style charge-block calls and the absence of a restricted area near the basket. Fouls are what will limit her, if anything does, and I have to believe that she will acclimate to this side of the pond in a few more games.

I’d rather see Ayanna or Gandy at the 5 than Jana. Serah W was underwhelming, even against a weak opponent like Xavier.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

I would like to see Azzi and Sarah get a lil more playing time, maybe 5 more minutes to play 29 or 30. I know the game is out of reach but all games will be. To be an all-American you need numbers. Sarah was on pace to get a triple-double. Accomplishments like this matter.

I disagree. For me as a fan, titles matter the most, awards are secondary. Taking them out keeps them fresher and reduces the chance for injury. I'd be cursing Geno if one of them got hurt in a blowout game like today. It's also good for building the bench.
Fisher was spectacular in her time today. She's fast, showed a very good handle and racked up some assists. Very impressive. Would like to see her get more time.

 

[MSGRET]

We shot better from 3 than from 2 - wowzers.

Had way too many bunnies missed.

 

[AzzisBraids]

And Aubrey was the Seton Hall killer.

And Azzi has been the South Carolina killer

 

[FanSince17]

Has anyone ever seen a quadrupole double? Here at UConn? Anywhere else? Sarah today with more minutes.
Points, bounds, steals, and assists.

 

[Stagnant]

I don’t consider it a complaint. But yes. I was thinking about Jana during the game. And I was just wondering if maybe this pressing style of play doesn’t suit her.

She is either still coming back from the preseason injury. Or yes, she doesn’t appear to be part of the rotation right now.

On that note. I noticed Allie was the first sub today.

 

[boontonbomber]

Sooo.. I guess we know that Heckel is the better player than Kelis Fisher because she has shown that in practice. Right? Or she gets the minutes because she has a year of experience. That might be it? I realize that we don't see Kelis necessarily against opponents best players, but she looks to handle herself really well whenever she's out there. Her penetration and drop passes were rather impressive today. I would love to see her earlier in a game, just for the sake of comparison.

 

[HuskyNan]

Gandy is quite a bit bigger than Jana

 

[Kat]

Waiting to see if anyone tries to complain about anything. 😂

You won't have to wait long. It's the BY, after all.