USA Postgame Thread | Page 4 | The Boneyard

USA Postgame Thread

Fairfield Fan said:
Can I point out that UConn has run out of gas against other teams late in the game? Baylor, for example? Let DePaul get much closer? It isn't just against Team USA.
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So UConn has run out of gas in the 4th quarter, according to you, against 3 teams. That's 3 teams out of 19 or 15.7 percent. Can I point out that 3 teams does not make a problem as you would like us to believe.
 
huskeynut said:
So UConn has run out of gas in the 4th quarter, according to you, against 3 teams. That's 3 teams out of 19 or 15.7 percent. Can I point out that 3 teams does not make a problem as you would like us to believe.
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I completely see your point; however, there have only been three wins decided by 10 points or less (and the Baylor loss). It seems, to me, that a majority of the games UConn wins by 10+ would not have the "out of gas" factor due to the ability to lengthen the bench. I know this can be a little misleading with games separating late and being close for 3+ quarters but it does stand to reason that the games that are contested should be the only ones used as part of this data set.
 
The ROAR was so loud when Evelyn made the basket! All of our gals have something to contribute to the games......I love that Geno subbed all the kids in. My badassses of the game were MW and AMak! Mak was stellar on defense and her stat line was impressive.
You could tell she really loved all the minutes Geno rewarded her.....applause to all our gals!!
 
oldude said:
Even better, Anna can photoshop the picture and cut everyone else out except herself and her new BFF. :cool:
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No need. She's already got a framed copy hanging on her room wall! :)


wall_hanger.jpg
 
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Calbysdad said:
1. I feel UConn gets stuck at times in half court offense. The ball stops for too much time and there seems to be a lot of thinking as opposed to doing - making them seem a step slow. This isn't as prevalent in normal play but having the incredible defense of the national team in front of them definitely made it challenging.
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The problem of movement (both players and ball) has been noted many times and from numerous sources, including Geno, so I was half-expecting it to happen vs. the kind of defensive pressure the National Team can exert. So I was pleasantly surprised, especially in the second quarter, to see more cuts through the middle/key than has been usual. No big surprise, then, that we climbed back into the game during that quarter. But there were patches when we moved and passed the ball only around the perimeter and penetrated only by dribbling, which too often led to turnovers and forced/missed shots.

That second quarter (and other, briefer moments) showed what our young, developing team CAN do; I'm sure that it is an incessantly stressed message from the coaching staff. When we do it, we play and score at an entirely higner level.
 
hoopsfan22 said:
Outscored team USA 20-10 in the second quarter.
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Zanzman said:
Always me positive
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It is hard to rate this exhibition as anything more than an unusually difficult practice session for the collegians. Some of the UCONN kids played okay; Ania showed good poise for a 19 year old; Aubrey rebounded well; Megan had her shot going, as did Crystal; Williams went back into her shooting shell; Olivia battled and everyone got some court time. Many of the UCONN turnover were because they forgot they were playing pros, and many passes were simply shut down or intercepted. Passes that would typically work against peers, had no shot against the pros. Maybe a lesson was learned that will pay-off in March. A sad day. When no one really wanted to be playing or cheering. But the world doesn't stop for tragedy.
 
JoePgh said:
I would be interested in how the USA Team roster that played tonight compares to the one that lost to Oregon back in November. If the rosters were largely the same, then the fact that Oregon defeated Team USA and UConn lost by 15 points is concerning for the outcome of next Monday night's game. However, I suspect that Team USA was missing more players in November than they are now, and in any case the November version would have had less practice time together.
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Geno a couple of days ago pretty much said that fall USA group was not a USA team. Most of last night's team were just starting their USSA practice and play 2 days ago.
 
Dillon77 said:
Some quick-hitters from the Dome:

- Really fine night of basketball. Congrats to all concerned.
- UConn put in a focused, determined effort and the players should be commended. I fully expected Geno and Chris to have them ready, but it's up to the players to, well, play. And that can be intimidating when every player you face may or may not be someone you admire. A lot. That said, they dug down and went for it.
- Megan was the fulcrum, in my humble opinion. Her consistent and gradual improvement is noted by this Irish fan. Anna Makurat seemed very at home (international rules?). She's getting better all the time. Darn. :rolleyes:
- Thought Liv had her moments, but it's tough going against USA bigs: Sylvia Fowles, puts on a national uniform and just attacks the rim. If Tina had her touch last night, whew.... And then just imagine when Griner and EDD show up and Stewie is back in game shape.
- Speaking of Stewie, it was great, just great, to see her in action last night. Despite what she did to the Irish during the course of her career, she's one of my favorite hoopsters. Admire, respect and enjoy her game.
- Along those lines, it was great to see another fave (and fellow Alum) - one Kayla McBride - off the ND coaching bench and back in the US of A uniform last night. Once she got warmed up, K-Mac dropped a few of her laser-like 3's and also played some subtle, but tough, defense, accumulating 3 steals in 20+ minutes.
- Kelsey Plum got in later in the game and made some definite contributions with 8 points (3 of 5 shooting) and 5 assists in 17 minutes.
The Aces connection with K-Mac was evident.

Once again, tip of the hat to current and alum Huskies and USA basketball.
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You know @Dillon77 it is not to late to come over to the dark side. ;)
 
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Here is DT post-game talking some Kobe and some game. As for UConn they are tough and they haven't peaked. She says at one point the USA bench is exhorting each other : We gotta dig deep or we're going to lose.

 
Calbysdad said:
I completely see your point; however, there have only been three wins decided by 10 points or less (and the Baylor loss). It seems, to me, that a majority of the games UConn wins by 10+ would not have the "out of gas" factor due to the ability to lengthen the bench. I know this can be a little misleading with games separating late and being close for 3+ quarters but it does stand to reason that the games that are contested should be the only ones used as part of this data set.
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No. Only using the contested games is, IMO, cherry picking data to make a point. The poster I addressed paints his negative points in very broad brush strokes. He doesn't site specifics.

You have to look at the season as a whole. Using the Team USA game is kind of unfair. You have college kids playing the pros. Big time basketball experience of college students of a half a year to 3.5 years. Pro experience from 1 year to 10 to 15 years. Not comparable. If you remove last night's exhibition game, the there are 2 out 19 games that could be considered running out of gas.

Right now UConn has a solid 7 player rotation. If you consider Molly and Evelyn as viable subs, a 9 player rotation.

This is a UConn team that is evolving and improving. Not the same team we saw in November, December or even early January.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
You know @Dillon77 it is not to late to come over to the dark side. ;)
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Thanks, Rocky, but I've been chasing 4-leaf clovers for so long, I can't see the forest through the weeds. :D :)

However, I'd like to think I've got an extended travel visa - a blue card, if you will -- to visit The Boneyard and offer a thought and/or kudo when appropriate. And gosh knows Geno, Chris and the Huskies give me enough opportunity to do so.

BTW, I'm getting worried seeing how much Anna M. has improved since the time of year the Irish played them. Not only does she have skills, there's a presence about her....
 
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2nd half played out like the Baylor game. Stayed close til the fourth then ... boom
 
Bronxjeff said:
I think the big "out of gas" issue was that Plum came in the game late and ran around Chrystal with a frenzy to make a case for her spot on the roster.
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And scored 8 very quick points as well to open the lead. She was really hounding Crystal and with the 24 second clock it stunted the Uconn offense.

This team doesn't run out of gas as much as they do not have consistent scoring options. Uconn came back in the second quarter on the back of going 5 of 5 from 3 and having USA go something like 1-10 for a stretch. That makes up a lot of ground in a low scoring/poor shooting half.

They really struggled from 3 for the rest of the game and it caught up to them in the fourth when USA bore down on them.
 
Dillon77 said:
Thanks, Rocky, but I've been chasing 4-leaf clovers for so long, I can't see the forest through the weeds. :D :)

However, I'd like to think I've got an extended travel visa - a blue card, if you will -- to visit The Boneyard and offer a thought and/or kudo when appropriate. And gosh knows Geno, Chris and the Huskies give me enough opportunity to do so.

BTW, I'm getting worried seeing how much Anna M. has improved since the time of year the Irish played them. Not only does she have skills, there's a presence about her....
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That presence thing ... yes, you are spot on. She's not hurried, she glides along and knows the court and she does not get rattled. Mom was a pro-baller, so it is in the blood.

And yes, your guest viza is always good here.
 
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oldude said:
I suspect that DT has mixed emotions about being idolized by Anna since she was 6. While it must be flattering, it probably makes her feel very, very old.
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If she starts thinking too hard, she’ll realize she was a UConn commit before Anna was even born.

Then into her sophomore year when Aubrey arrives on the planet.

Best not to think about those things. :rolleyes:
 
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oldude said:
I suspect that DT has mixed emotions about being idolized by Anna since she was 6. While it must be flattering, it probably makes her feel very, very old.
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This out of a Carl Adamec piece:

"Anna Makurat admitted she was about to faint when she got to meet her idol, UConn legend Diana Taurasi.

“It just never gets old,” Taurasi said with a smile. ‘When you’re around young kids, it feels good. She has such a bright future.”

Taurasi was then reminded, speaking of old, that she is nearly twice Makurat’s age.

“Is she?” Taurasi said. “She’s 19? The kid has got a lot of talent.”

The only bad news from Monday night was that Makurat and Taurasi didn’t get to play against each other. Taurasi sat out the game with back soreness.

Makurat, meanwhile, had 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 31 minutes off the bench."

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Watching the replay, just realized Megan has changed her shot. It no longer has the flat trajectory nice arc. Hadn’t spotted this earlier not paying attention.
 
What is you take, Chelsea Gray / Skylar Smith / Kelsey Plum which would you select ?

Chelsea struggled on defense (lacks quickness).

Skylar Smith did not seem to be in the flow on offense (team practice factor probably) seemed like she jumped on every possession to pass the ball did not seem to play under control.

Kelsey Plum very disciplined hustled delivered passes to right person at the right time, shot selection was good and in flow of offense, made them as well, good outing.

Kayla McBride makes this team on defense and hustle alone, she also hits shots at high percentage, very good game.
 
JoePgh said:
I would be interested in how the USA Team roster that played tonight compares to the one that lost to Oregon back in November. If the rosters were largely the same, then the fact that Oregon defeated Team USA and UConn lost by 15 points is concerning for the outcome of next Monday night's game. However, I suspect that Team USA was missing more players in November than they are now, and in any case the November version would have had less practice time together.
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From just this game I agree Rogue, though I think Skylar and Kelsey are competing for PG and Kayla and Chelsea more for off guard.

Personally I think Kelsey strikes me as the most USA style player with Kayla second. There seems to be very little 'me' in them.

I was impressed more in this game by Plum than any other game I have watched with her. She was locked in to dangerfield who while a college kid is still FAST and she bothered her.
 
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