UNC Postgame (merged)

[PacoSwede]

...
Geno’s all time wins record has been slated for the next game (Wed., FDU) with an assumption that UConn would beat NC. Several former players have plans to attend on Wed. I’m sure there was more than the usual pressure for this game, as the team wouldn’t want to plans to be disrupted.

i is quite certain that it will be far more than several

 

[PacoSwede]

Paige only went to the line once in the whole game, but gets fouled almost every play. Geno is right when he stated that the refs need to start calling the fouls and not wait until Senior Night to do it. On Kaitlyn, Jana and Ice they had 5, 3 and 4 fouls respectively, many of them touch fouls. Only went to the a total of 4 times shooting 5 for 8 while being fouled multiple times without calls.

he said the very same thing about D. he was right then (and D ended up playing with a bum back; not sure if the uncalled constant fouling ... some of it brutal ... had anything to do with it.)

 

[Bone Dog]

Jana again showed freshman tendencies. One step forward, one step back. Despite all of @Bone Dog constant promoting of her skills, she has a long way to go to prove that prognosticating correct. Our lack of depth in the front court is a major concern.

Yeah, potential is apparently off-limits to talk about. As Solon said, judge no man happy before he's dead.

 

[Zonepress]

Yeah, potential is apparently off-limits to talk about. As Solon said, judge no man happy before he's dead.

Good response!!
The criticism of players seems to be at an all-time high

 

[ccwarrior]

Surprised at the less than complementary comments on Chen. In a game where most of the Uconn players couldn't hit a barn door, she, Ice, and Paige (and Jana) were the only players at 50% from the field and she also was the only one who shot 100% from the line. She would have gotten a lot more assists if the rest of the team hadn't gone 9-32 (2-13 dropping Sarah out of the numbers.)

Ash is a streaky shooter and that is one of the things she needs to work on. KK needs to be a better jump shooter. They are still young, though they certainly got plenty of experience playing last year. But they represent the 'older' players at this point, and need to be solid.

Moment was a little too big for the freshmen Morgan and Allie, but this is the first road game and only their third overall. They got their feet wet and didn't look lost. Jana I thought played some good minutes.

Ice was great. Played strong and active, and I loved the three. She has a good jump shot, hopefully that three will give her confidence.

Sarah was also great - her hands on defense, and on catching and rebounding are a revelation. That three ball will start falling and then watch out.

I think Q needs to realize that she isn't going to get minutes with her shooting, but with her activity - she can be a disrupter on defense with her length and quickness, and can slash and hit the O boards rather than settling for being a spot up three specialist.

And of course Paige is magic.

UNC is a good team with a lot of talent and a very good coach - they too have a lot of young talent trying to learn. Uconn and UNC will both be a lot better down the road. Wouldn't be surprised to see UNC in the top ten before the season ends. That was Nivar's first game of the season, and Toomey's 4th of her career.

Chen, a bit like Nika, makes really bone-headed passes at times. I really expected a seasoned player to be more under control.

 

[BobbyJ]

How's this for heresy? UConn's most promising outside scorers will never realize their full potential until Paige enters WNBA paradise.

Heresy? More like amusing. Is it because they can’t make shots with her on the floor or that she takes and makes too many herself? Auriemma should be getting Shade 15-20 shots a game right?

 

[hoophuskee]

Paige only went to the line once in the whole game, but gets fouled almost every play. Geno is right when he stated that the refs need to start calling the fouls and not wait until Senior Night to do it. On Kaitlyn, Jana and Ice they had 5, 3 and 4 fouls respectively, many of them touch fouls. Only went to the a total of 4 times shooting 5 for 8 while being fouled multiple times without calls.

I wasn't paying much attention to fouls but it appeared Jana was fouled when she scored in the 4th. Was just surprised with all the open misses.

 

[ERWUC65]

Heresy? More like amusing. Is it because they can’t make shots with her on the floor or that she takes and makes too many herself? Auriemma should be getting Shade 15-20 shots a game right?

Could it be that Shade disappears in tough games, kind of like the end of last year? Let's not put the blame on either Geno or Paige.

 

[Longtime fan]

Some thoughts on the UNC game:

• The Huskies passed a Big Test today against a very good team. The last time UConn WBB won a regular season game on the road, against a ranked, non-BE team, in that team’s home state, with actual fans in the stands was almost 6 years ago, in December 2018 at Cal. It’s about damned time that streak has ended.
• The Huskies were on a roll until UNC went to a zone. After putting up 16 in the 1st qtr, Paige only had 2 in the 2nd qtr. Other players needed to step up. In the 3rd qtr, UConn got some offensive production from Paige’s teammates and the Huskies were able to extend their lead. In the 4th qtr, UConn slowed it down and hung on.
• Sarah continues to impress with her all-around game, poise and ability to stuff a stat sheet. She had a nice game in front of her homies. I am amazed at how many times Sarah gets her hands on the ball, making steals, blocking shots and coming down with rebounds in traffic.
• Some really nice post defense from both Ice and Sarah. UNC's starting forwards, Gakdeng & Ustby were a combined 2/10 with 5 points in total.
• I hate the double 3-pt line. Twice during the game, Kaitlyn buried a shot from the corner that Rebecca called as a 3, but she was only behind the inner line which made it a 2. I have no idea why Greensboro still has the inner line. It serves no purpose.
• UConn missed a bunch of open 3's tonight. Azzi can't get back in the lineup soon enough.
• This is a game the Huskies learned some things about themselves that they can build off of.
• So let the celebration begin. Geno and CD have tied Tara for the most coaching wins in the history of college basketball with 1,215 wins. I’m going way out on a limb here. Next Wednesday at Gampel against FDU, with many former players in attendance, Geno & CD will become the winningest coaches in the history of college basketball!!!

I can't wait for Geno's next win so that the announcers can stop obsessing about the "wins record" he is about to establish. Let that be a topic for history after coach retires. I want to talk about the game in front of me and the team playing in it.

I agree that this was a fine game test for UCONN. They could taste both "domination" and loss of such. UNC could have really pressed UCONN hard, but they panicked a bit on their own.

I think the position battles remain KK vs Chen ( who played a better game tonight ), and then AZZI vs. both of them, when she returns to form. I think Ice is competing hard ( and well ) to start in the post, and Sarah and Paige are certainties. Ash has it all but doesn't always show it all. Her offensive game was off today. When she begins with an air ball on a well set up " three", you know it will be a long day for her. Defense and rebounding were here game against UNC.

KK still has something no one has...speed. She is a great asset and can be greater if she can get her offense under control. Jana is on a track to become terrific. But at a relatively slow pace. She makes a difference under the basket, for sure. But I keep going back to what Geno said, " she is the best player I have ever coached." Did you hear or see this comment? Or am I hallucinating? I can't believe he would say such a thing, but I really want it to be true. Better than Maya? Seems impossible.

Morgan Cheli was first off the deep bench and contributed a bit..mostly in rebounding. She missed her open three. Then Ziebell got a turn and did less ....although she missed a trademark " three" as well.

I didn't mention Paige because what is there to say? We saw it all.

 

[MSGRET]

They passed their first test while not playing up to their standards. I believe that this will help them in the long run when it comes to how they are playing in mid December and beyond. UConn beat a top 15 team without having their best night shooting. Their are many other teams that are struggling the first weeks of the season.

Tennessee defense allowed Liberty to score 93 points on their home court! If they play defense like that against UConn they won't have a chance in heck to win. LSU let a team who is 161st in Massey Ratings leading by 13 points at one time and by 9 at the half. At the end of the 3rd quarter they were still down a point. They outscored them 21-6 in the 4th quarter and puled out the win 74-60.

 

[Centerstream]

Another item to add to the “nerves” for the less experienced players:

Geno’s all time wins record has been slated for the next game (Wed., FDU) with an assumption that UConn would beat NC. Several former players have plans to attend on Wed. I’m sure there was more than the usual pressure for this game, as the team wouldn’t want to plans to be disrupted.

I'm not sure but weren't the festivities originally scheduled to celebrate Geno and Chris' 40 year coaching anniversary? I am guessing that the original planning was started before the schedule was announced. Also, I believe that the announcers mentioned that the UNC game was moved up in the schedule because of the new teams that were added to the ACC schedule.
Or I could be wrong...again.

 

[Centerstream]

Good response!!
The criticism of players seems to be at an all-time high

Especially after only 3 games into the season?

 

[Baltic]

Did not feel like a hostile environment. The crowd was at least as loud for UConn as for UNC.

At least 1/3 of the crowd supported UConn.

 

[Dogstar]

Actually, IMO, nine is probably too many Players. The starters need to get into the flow of the game in order to play well. They can’t be subbing in and out of the lineup.

I totally disagree..how soon you 4get for the last 3 yrs Geno didn't have enough chess pieces to play the UConn way, he now has a full board of pieces and if a piece isnt in position to help his schemes then he'll try to find another piece to compliment the others, from the opening tap the starters should be locked in and in the so called flow of the game bcus it's always the same plan...
Run the offense smoothly, precisely, and correctly...push the pace.. and PUNCH em in their gut from the git go. On defense..be where ur supposed to be, guardi who ur supposed to, when ur supposed to, or you'll hear "WHAT'S THT SUPPOSED TO BE " CD talk to her bcus I I I just can't. Geno wants to SUFFOCATE opponents on defense, hands up, moving ur feet, all up in ur personal space type defense, his defensive game plan would be a felony in most states. Last but not least, just bcus you start the game doesn't mean you'll finish the game or even play major mins unless you play the right way... bcus now he has options galore....from Arnold to Ziebell..............WHEW got a cramp in my finger...gotta suck it up like a real man and get back to my Honydew list, ...let's see whts next...ahhh changing the curtains in the bedrooms and drapes in the dining room........Peace!

 

[Zanzman]

I'm not sure but weren't the festivities originally scheduled to celebrate Geno and Chris' 40 year coaching anniversary? I am guessing that the original planning was started before the schedule was announced. Also, I believe that the announcers mentioned that the UNC game was moved up in the schedule because of the new teams that were added to the ACC schedule.
Or I could be wrong...again.

I actually think you are right this time

 

[Kat]

KK showed why she should be running the point. She pushes the ball, gets us in flow, will take it to the hoop, and provides a Nika-level tenacity on D. When KK has the ball, this team looks like UConn.

 

[RoadMaster]

 

[PacoSwede]

I can't wait for Geno's next win so that the announcers can stop obsessing about the "wins record" he is about to establish. Let that be a topic for history after coach retires. I want to talk about the game in front of me and the team playing in it.....

good way to see it
bravo
i think gene and cd agree

 

[oldude]

I can't wait for Geno's next win so that the announcers can stop obsessing about the "wins record" he is about to establish. Let that be a topic for history after coach retires. I want to talk about the game in front of me and the team playing in it.

I agree that this was a fine game test for UCONN. They could taste both "domination" and loss of such. UNC could have really pressed UCONN hard, but they panicked a bit on their own.

I think the position battles remain KK vs Chen ( who played a better game tonight ), and then AZZI vs. both of them, when she returns to form. I think Ice is competing hard ( and well ) to start in the post, and Sarah and Paige are certainties. Ash has it all but doesn't always show it all. Her offensive game was off today. When she begins with an air ball on a well set up " three", you know it will be a long day for her. Defense and rebounding were here game against UNC.

KK still has something no one has...speed. She is a great asset and can be greater if she can get her offense under control. Jana is on a track to become terrific. But at a relatively slow pace. She makes a difference under the basket, for sure. But I keep going back to what Geno said, " she is the best player I have ever coached." Did you hear or see this comment? Or am I hallucinating? I can't believe he would say such a thing, but I really want it to be true. Better than Maya? Seems impossible.

Morgan Cheli was first off the deep bench and contributed a bit..mostly in rebounding. She missed her open three. Then Ziebell got a turn and did less ....although she missed a trademark " three" as well.

I was dismayed that Quadance got no court time. Is it because she was a lower lever recruit? For some reason, I really want her to step up and fool everyone. She has a lot of talent. My fear is that she is already typecast as " a garbage time player,' or someone who can get minutes only in a blow out against a low level competitor. And, obviously, her position on the bench gets another seat deeper when AZZI returns. So my fear is that she will use the portal and play elsewhere. And I want her to be a star at UCONN. Can only hope she forces her way onto the court. What do y'all think?

I didn't mention Paige because what is there to say? We saw it all.

I think you need to celebrate every milestone in your life, big and small. I’m perfectly OK with the announcers obsessing over Geno & CD’s incredible accomplishments, which have been many, and certainly the all-time record for basketball coaching victories, which will never be surpassed imo.

 

[DEpup]

I see some folks making an issue of Paige playing 37 minutes. For me, I don't mind that against a ranked team and especially early in the season.

What would bother me is if she has to play 35+ min a game with unranked teams in order for them to have a good offensive flow. That's what would wear her down by the time March comes.

We'll only have a handful of ranked match ups that are also on national TV and I would argue you want Paige in the high minute realm not only to win but to get her the just due exposure to win the awards as well as entertaining the crowd. People need to see the beauty in her efficiency versus the flashy volume shooting of Juju.

 

[hoophuskee]

I see some folks making an issue of Paige playing 37 minutes. For me, I don't mind that against a ranked team and especially early in the season.

What would bother me is if she has to play 35+ min a game with unranked teams in order for them to have a good offensive flow. That's what would wear her down by the time March comes.

We'll only have a handful of ranked match ups that are also on national TV and I would argue you want Paige in the high minute realm not only to win but to get her the just due exposure to win the awards as well as entertaining the crowd. People need to see the beauty in her efficiency versus the flashy volume shooting of Juju.

I like her playng 37 minutes or more in big games. She is the best player on the floor regardless how many minutes she plays, so play her.

 

[ashfan]

Heresy? More like amusing. Is it because they can’t make shots with her on the floor or that she takes and makes too many herself? Auriemma should be getting Shade 15-20 shots a game right?

15-20 is about right for Ash. . . . Paige was like a sedative for the other outside shooters; in fact, the other UConn players seemed to be on the court mainly to get the ball into her hands.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

In her presser Courtney said that she wanted this game in December but gave a shrug. I don't know what December looks like, but we will be into BE play. I would have thought December would be good with Geno, but the OOC schedule is pretty crazy this year. Here is her presser: