It’s harder to double team someone who brings the ball up the court, which Paige should do more often and put teams in pick and roll hell. And if teams try to send a double at her, then Sarah (or whoever the screener is) can slip the screen relentlessly until they’re forced to adjust.
Surprised no one asked Geno in post game presser why KK didn't play much in 4th Q.
You like in the critical 4th quarter, when Paige was pushed out of bounds and fell down right in front of Geno.
Iriafen may be listed as 6-3 in height but she looked 2 inches taller than Strong. Who's correct? Probably neither on each team's roster. Iriafen is taller and Strong a little bit shorter.
Agree with you, except it all started after their last championship with Stewie.
Here lies the problem....the screener is usually a big, either Sarah, Ice or Jana, the screener then dives to the hoop, if the screener is Sarah and Paige is doubled thn ur in pretty good shape bcus she can drive, shoot a pullup, pass to a post for a layup or kick out to someone in either corner whn another player steps up to stop her, but if it's Ice or Jana neither is really capable of driving or pulling up and their passing from the high high post is somewhat..ummmm shall we say questionable. Teams will take tht situation everytime as long as Paige or Sarah is not shooting. That's why a CONSISTENT 3rd option is needed. And right now I'm not seeing tht 3rd consistent option. Azzi is greatly missed bcus no team is leaving her open and Silk can take advantage of anyone ..one on one and that's been proven.
Did she regress, or did expectations grow too large?
There’s no reason the screener has to be a post player all the time.
More thn half the time it is
I think this is an interesting take
I watched Strong after she hit the first free throw. She looked nervous. I am not surprised she missed the second one. However, instead of panicking like some veteran players do and shoot the ball hard of the backboard and crossing the free throw line too soon. she shot a regular throw and waited for it to hit. If she could have caught the rebound cleanly, she had a good chance to shoot the rebound. No one should blame her for missing that second free throw.
Not the same type of game but I had flash back to ARKANSAS.
I too turned off the announcers. !!
In the post-game presser Sarah's heart-felt answer to the questioner:
Traditionally yes, but the advanced offenses in basketball know how to use unconventional methods to hunt the matchups they want.
One of two things must happen to go all the way; 1. Jana and ICE become impactful players. 2. AZZI comes back with all guns blazing and we go with 4 guards and Sarah in the middle.Some thoughts on the USC game;
- Really terrible start to the game for UConn. As with ND, the Huskies came out tight and dug themselves a big hole that they just couldn't climb out of.
- Through my 30 years as a UConn fan, these were the games that I lived for. The Huskies won far more big games than they lost, but even the handful of losses were usually close and hard fought to the end. But I have never seen anything quite like the game I watched tonight.
- Once again, the Huskies showed signs of life in the 3rd qtr. Obviously, UConn can’t continue to wait that long to start playing basketball against teams as talented as USC.
- UConn went with a small lineup and fought their way back into the game. I thought that KK's ferocious defense was the jump start the team needed, and then everyone else started making plays.
- I am sure the BY is frustrated and there will be an inclination among some UConn fans to blame the players and coaches. I have one word for you, DON'T!!!
- The season is not over by any stretch of the imagination. UConn has a lot of things to work on, and it is certainly possible to build this roster into a team capable of making a deep run in March. If anyone can build that team, it’s Geno.
- Merry Christmas everyone. Go Huskies!!!
And Morgan showed great poise hitting a three at a big moment in the comeback.
I will however blame the referees. Paige was fouled on that last offensive rebound and the number of pushes, stiff arms, fend offs, and reach ins that were not called were very numerous. Since when do you have the right to push off the defender with your non dribbling stiff arm? When we play this kind of game, a non-conference headliner, it always seems to be the officials adopting a let them play approach which is good for the playground but not here and usually favors the more physical team. Having said that, we were flat for the first half and it tells all in our 3s in the game. We shot 26% instead of our usual 36%. They shot 56% from the arc. Even with this game they average 33% and they barely won. Too many extra points to make up though. Also, we were 10-17 from the charity stripe. That was a killer.Some thoughts on the USC game;
- Really terrible start to the game for UConn. As with ND, the Huskies came out tight and dug themselves a big hole that they just couldn't climb out of.
- Through my 30 years as a UConn fan, these were the games that I lived for. The Huskies won far more big games than they lost, but even the handful of losses were usually close and hard fought to the end. But I have never seen anything quite like the game I watched tonight.
- Once again, the Huskies showed signs of life in the 3rd qtr. Obviously, UConn can’t continue to wait that long to start playing basketball against teams as talented as USC.
- UConn went with a small lineup and fought their way back into the game. I thought that KK's ferocious defense was the jump start the team needed, and then everyone else started making plays.
- I am sure the BY is frustrated and there will be an inclination among some UConn fans to blame the players and coaches. I have one word for you, DON'T!!!
- The season is not over by any stretch of the imagination. UConn has a lot of things to work on, and it is certainly possible to build this roster into a team capable of making a deep run in March. If anyone can build that team, it’s Geno.
- Merry Christmas everyone. Go Huskies!!!
Agreed, if you're a UConn fan only...
It was her or Chen
Sara seems a year away and ice is somewhat limited by lack of hops, so would have to find her shot. Azzi and Aubrey potentially impactful for sure, but March is only 10 weeks away
Azzi not playing hurts. Is what Chen brings worth KK, Cheli, Ash not playing more - developing - getting better? And it takes the ball from PB.
Sarah is a year away from what?
