USC Postgame Thread

[browns]

Massey gave us a 65% chance to win by the score of 72-66

But the spread was 14.5 so they didn't cover

 

[pvdoggy]

How did Shade not even have a shot attempt?

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Game of runs, but perfectly orchestrated by Geno. Right players at the right time. I know people LOVE scoring, but KK changed the momentum at a critical point in the first half and then Aubrey did the same in the second half with defense. Chen was essential as well.

 

[RoadMaster]

Swipe..

 

[uh-no]

see y'all in tampa

 

[Next 12]

Tough game. Someone posted "whoever gets to 70 first, wins." How wise of who posted. Uconn got to 70+ first and "VIOLA" we won. The 3rd quarter almost gave me a heart attack as it looked like Uconn forgot how to play BB. Thank God they took charge in the 4th quarter.WE had 3 GIGANTIC players that carried the game. Paige, Sarah and Kaitlin. AZZI did her share also. Uconn was the better team this night and now on to the rest of our journey to No.12. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!

 

[HuskyNan]

I saw a lot of flopping by USC.

Not all flopping. Both teams were very physical and USC players were leaning hard on the Husky they were defending. When the Husky abruptly changed direction, the defender lost her balance and hit the court. Kinda funny, actually

 

[DEFCONN1]

I don’t know if this is the best UCONN team ever, but none of them played as hard and together as this team. I’m just so proud of this crew. On to bigger and better things !

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Here:



Back in the AM.

 

[pvdoggy]

24 Final Fours and 12 National Titles looks far prettier than 24 and 11.

Tired of being under .500 in Final Fours.

Technically, they are not under .500 in Final Fours. Before today, 23 trips to FF4, with 11 NC means they must have won 22 games out of the 34 games they played in the FF4?

 

[my2cents]

Wow. What a game.

Sarah was HUGE in this game. I’ve said it before but if this is how Sarah is as a freshman, she is going to be scary good in the years to come. She was doing it on both ends of the floor and helped our offense come alive when we were struggling.

And then Chen caught fire. And then Paige hit that huge three to cap off the first half. And when we needed Azzi the most, she finally came alive and got us some huge buckets. And I can’t not mention the contributions of Shade, Ice, Jana, Aubrey, and KK, all of whom provided valuable energy, rebounds, and hustle. UConn was not going to win the game without a team effort — so they played as a team and ground out a win. Absolute energy on both ends.

Maybe this game would have ended differently if JuJu hadn’t gotten hurt. Or maybe it wouldn’t have. Unfortunately, none of us can say for sure. This was definitely Sarah’s revenge game though after the loss earlier this season.

As an aside, I’m still haunted by that loss to tOSU a few seasons ago. It’s so nice to see UConn be able to break the press!!

The FT shooting discrepancy was an absolute disgrace. It was almost single-handedly keeping USC in the game in the second half.

This was a battle and we won it. Enjoy the evening and now on to the next. Unfinished business. Let’s get it.

Sarah is already scary good.

 

[uconnfan68]

How did Shade not even have a shot attempt?

She committed a foul on her layup attempt.

 

[ConnMotors]

Paige play the whole game?

 

[msf22b]

The reason UConn won:

They really have a lot of pieces they can throw at you
if one group or player doesn't work, there's always another.

-I always said ...that at least once, Kaitlyn Chen would have a monster game when it was out needed...tonite
was the night
-Sarah was fearless and wonderful
-Azzi (finally) came through in the 4th with 2 key triples
that were really needed
-Surprise: Audrey came in, played quite a few minutes
and settled down a tiring defense (when she missed
that layup, I could have brained her)...
-The defensive intensity in the first half and in the final
minutes was remarkable. USC couldn't get a clean
possession at the end

And I just have to mention, an observation I made in the
last game: that when Azzi drives across the lane, she is
unaware of how open she is for a pull-up. Tonight, she did one better...totally free for a layup, she inexplicably
passed the ball out...Actually...there is an explanation...something to do with spacial relations and a little bit like blackjack, card counting...in this case defensive placement of the opposition. might have to do with aural perception...Bet she fixes that up for next season.

And Paige..ho-hum...a superstar

 

[Centerstream]

No sour grapes however before the last couple of minutes USC went to the line 26 to our 8 They may not have had Juju but they made up for it going to the line. Yeah we committed some fouls but they didnt?????????????

I'll give some sour grapes...every USBWA voter that didn't vote Sarah #1 for NFOY needs to reevaluate their voting criteria. Period.

 

[and one]

This was a 14 point win that could easily have been a 25 point win. USC even without Juju is good and we beat them by double digits despite more sloppy passes and dribbling than was absolutely necessary. Paige did her thing, Sarah was huge, Chen kicked in 15 points, and Azzi after a horrible shooting night redeemed herself with 8 well needed points in the 4th quarter. Overall we got through a tough last 8 matchup without playing our best. This is a formidable team folks. I can't wait to have at it with UCLA.

 

[oldude]

Paige play the whole game?

Yessir. So did Sarah.

 

[Tonyc]

Now on a positive note. This is one terrific team. Sarah is so poised, and talented. She knows how to get position against bigger players. She knows how to fake and shoot and shows absolutely no emotion. Paige is the GOAT maybe of all time. As Great as Diana Stewie and Maya were Paige is some efficient. Great game for Chen. She stepped up big and was huge the entire game.
The defense was suffocating and USC hung in and kept making shots. They will be a tuff out next season. Theyre gonna be really good. UCLA next. We will see what Genos game plan is. Our defense will make the difference.

 

[Jonathan14]

Paige play the whole game?

Yup, and Sarah too.

 

[Bone Dog]

Paige play the whole game?

Paige and Sarah never came off the floor

 

[mhshuskies]

I think it’s always humorous how they put up a ladder to cut down nets to go to FF. Have they never seen UCONN go to the FF before, they don’t cut down when there is still work to be done.

 

[ConnMotors]

Yup, and Sarah too.

That’s a first for this season…. 80 more minutes…

 

[HCCForever]

Obviously great games for Sarah and Paige.

Azzi couldn't even hit a layup but like a gunslinger kept on shooting. Needed her threes when UConn was only up by 5.

I was very impressed with Chen. No turnovers. She handled the press perfectly. And she made layups when the team needed them. I believe she had two in the second quarter during a dry spell. And then some more in the fourth quarter.

Great team effort.

 

[Next 12]

No sour grapes however before the last couple of minutes USC went to the line 26 to our 8 They may not have had Juju but they made up for it going to the line. Yeah we committed some fouls but they didnt?????????????

I'm with you. I thought it was Uconn against USC and 3 Refs. When I looked at the box score USC han one more foul then Uconn did, so I debated, in the final minute of the game USC committed 4 fouls. So the question I would ask is why were USC's fouls so shot worthy and ours weren't?

 

[oldude]

I think it’s always humorous how they put up a ladder to cut down nets to go to FF. Have they never seen UCONN go to the FF before, they don’t cut down when there is still work to be done.

It’s a very lonely ladder…