UNC Postgame (merged)

[packwrap]

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.

Nothing new for Geno. In big games he tightens the rotation and plays starters big minutes.

No worries for me about NC. For the newcomers, it was first big time road game. Also first game against power 4 athletes.

Execution against zone was actually ok, but shooting % was awful.

4 one shot and out posessions, while opponents rolls up 11 points, looks terrible...but doesn't necessarily mean they were bad shots.

Geno never panicked, he just stayed with plan even keeping Cheli and Ziebell in.

Morgan sets a perfect screen. Big body, fast to set up, and key...she never moves. Human nature to move as a screener, but she doesn't. So no screen fouls.

On to Fairly Difficult.

 

[pvdoggy]

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:

The problem is with NC's conf schedule, not Uconn's. When the ACC expands this year they have more conf games to be played so they have to move the Uconn game to November instead of the originally December schedule.

 

[DEpup]

I think it was UNC who had to move up the game because of the expanded ACC so that's on her conference not UConn.

 

[Hayven]

All this talk about finally being able to press full court since we finally have guard depth. Yet, we haven’t seen much of it

 

[oldude]

All this talk about finally being able to press full court since we finally have guard depth. Yet, we haven’t seen much of it

Geno likes to run a diamond press. The key to effectively running a diamond press is having someone who is long and athletic on the point of the press. Paige can do it, but that’s adding one more responsibility to her plate. However, the very best Husky to man the point is Aubrey. Once she’s back and healthy, I think you’ll see Geno employ the press more frequently.

 

[ERWUC65]

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.

Well, if you listened to the post game and comments from others who know, you would learn that Geno had to draw up plays exclusively for Paige since no one else came to play.

 

[Bone Dog]

However, the very best Husky to man the point is Aubrey.

Morgan played that same role in her high school’s press. Sarah played one of the side positions in her high school press

 

[oldude]

Morgan played that same role in her high school’s press. Sarah played one of the side positions in her high school press

I’m sure Morgan & Sarah would both be effective. But Aubrey on the point is like trying to get past an athletic octopus.

 

[hoophuskee]

All this talk about finally being able to press full court since we finally have guard depth. Yet, we haven’t seen much of it

pressing can be overrated vs qua;ity teams that have quality good guards. Or even just "very good teams" that have quality guards if the intent is to trap and push pace. By pressing you leave a player open. Good passing finding the open player can allow too many easy baskets that otherwise would have little chance to have happened if you just played your normal game.

Plus you could be exposing the UCONN bigs to get attacked if a guard or quick forward receives a pass in which they can attack the basket and the UCONN center protecting that basket is exposed vs the quicker attacker.

 

[DEpup]

Morgan played that same role in her high school’s press. Sarah played one of the side positions in her high school press

I'm sure they are working on it and maybe Geno doesn't think it's ready for prime time yet.

 

[donalddoowop]

pressing can be overrated vs qua;ity teams that have quality good guards. Or even just "very good teams" that have quality guards if the intent is to trap and push pace. By pressing you leave a player open. Good passing finding the open player can allow too many easy baskets that otherwise would have little chance to have happened if you just played your normal game.

Plus you could be exposing the UCONN bigs to get attacked if a guard or quick forward receives a pass in which they can attack the basket and the UCONN center protecting that basket is exposed vs the quicker attacker.

It could also create steals for UConn and wear down the opponent. It's a good tactic when run right.

 

[hoophuskee]

It could also create steals for UConn and wear down the opponent. It's a good tactic when run right.

When UCONN is superior to an opponent in which they will be the significant favorite other than for 3 or maybe 4 games before NCAA, then why work to do this vs playing normal? Why not work as much as possible playing normal when once Azzi comes back and Sarah starts nailing perimeter shots at high efficiency in which we may very well be the best team? Pressing is "gambling." And if you can't do it vs the top 3 teams then how much emphasis should you put on it vs playing a normal game and if you play normal and if Azzi is like she was and Srah's efficiency game expands, why not challenge "basketball-fundamental-way" vs turning the game to more of "endurance?"

Think of a superor technical boxer with the long reach vs a fighter not as good but still dangerous if they can get easy shots at you inside your reach, why not keep them at arm's length by just playing normal instead of running the risk vs a quality team with quality guards that can fit their style of passing and/or exceptionally quick dribblers?

And if they are a quality team with quality guards, why do you think these kids all in top shape will get "worn down?" Vs the big east teams, sure. But UCONN can't be assured they will "wear down" other extremely fit but high qualty teams. These are kids super fit with quality coaching too. The pont is there is no need to gamble when you have arguably the #1 fundamental team with Azzi and an efficient Sarah.