USC Postgame Thread

[oldude]

Some thoughts on the USC game:

• Congratulations to the Huskies on reaching an unprecedented 24th Final Four, their 16th in the last 17 seasons.
• Credit to USC who played really tough, despite playing without JuJu. Rayah Marshall in particular played the game of her life.
• No freshman nerves for Sarah tonight, who opened the game hitting from everywhere, while also owning the defensive boards. She notched a double-double in the first half and came up BIG for the game, including playing great defense on Iriafen. Seriously, how can anybody consider anyone other than Sarah for NFOY???
• Through the first 3 qtrs, only 4 Huskies scored: Paige, Sarah, Kaitlyn & KK. Thank goodness Azzi joined the party in the 4th qtr.
• I was really pleased to see Aubrey come in to start the 4th qtr. Her ability to play tough defense and rebound was HUGE.
• USC was running everyone and their cousin at Paige to keep her from taking over the game, and they certainly were not going to defend her in the pick an roil playing drop coverage like Oklahoma. But Paige took over the game anyway, filling up the stat sheet with 31 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks.
• More on Paige. She has now scored 27 or more points in all 4 Elite 8 games she has played in. Tonight she also passed Pheesa for 3rd on UConn's all-time scoring list. She did miss a couple foul shots making it virtually impossible to hit 50/40/90. Oh well, she will just have to settle for a national championship.
• I told you guys at the start of the season that Kaitlyn Chen would come up BIG in the biggest games for UConn this season. I will try not to dislocate my shoulder patting myself on the back.
• Bring on Lauren Betts and the Bruins. GO HUSKIES!!!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Was that the longest game ever played? Sure felt like it. I need an hour to calm down before beddie bye. Can't imagine you folks in CT.

 

[HuskyNan]

When did you start breathing again?

PS Thank you, Kaitlyn

 

[Dove]

Final Four #24 comin'!!!

 

[UConn990411]

Not the worst thing in the world for them to go through some adversity before the Final Four, but it goes without saying they have to play levels above this to win next weekend.

That all starts with Azzi being good for more than one quarter, and they’ll need more from their role players across the board. El Alfy and/or Brady has to show up each game, and I wouldn’t mind seeing Griffin get more run.

 

[victor64]

The challenge was a little easier without JuJu but they still had to rise to the occasion.


It wasn’t pretty but the officiating makes it that way. “Letting them play” is being taken to extreme.


Paige, Sarah and consistent defense carried the day.


KC is not afraid of the big moment. She showed up big again in this game


I remember when OSU’s full court pressure gave the Huskies fits. Not any more. USC’s full court pressure caused very few problems.


Did not expect to see Aubrey but wow did she come up big. Happy for her because she is not 100%

Geno has mentioned this record of final four appearances will never be broken. No doubt.

 

[Tonyc]

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?????????????

 

[maple]

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.

 

[Dove]

 

[Bone Dog]

Paige dropped another 30-bomb and Sarah was transcendent with 22 pts, 17 rebounds. Azzi struggled until the 4th when she scored 8 important points. Kaitlyn was fantastic with 15 tough points. Aubrey played in the 4th and got a couple rebounds and a couple steals.

Awesome defense by all.

And just to be clear, for all the Kaitlyn critics, her performance is exactly why Geno wanted her. In the big games she rises to the occasion.

 

[freekimchee]

I really really wanted this for Paige. Madison. Bueckers.
Two more games. Let's Go!

 

[Vowelguy]

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?????????????

If you really meant "no sour grapes," then you wouldn't havent written the rest of what you said.
Geez Louise, we won!

 

[BugsyCT]

24 Final Fours since 1991 and 16 in the last 17 years is absolutely incredible. Congrats to Geno and his team. Let's get that 12th NC!!

 

[ec33]

Kaitlyn picks a nice spot to have a great game. Sarah played great.

Those two got it going and ready for Paige to take over.

 

[HuskyNan]

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?????????????

Did you not see Sarah flatten a kid without being called for a foul? UConn got the benefit of some calls/non-calls in the first half; USC got them in the second half

 

[my2cents]

What a battle.
Kudos to Azzi. It was the equivalent of a batter striking out badly in 4 straight plate appearances and then coming up in the bottom of the 8th and hitting a three run homer.
Game changed when Aubrey came in. What was she being saved for?
Chen's best game as a Huskie.
Let's win number 12.

 

[Maleficent9]

Kaitlyn Chen had BIG timely buckets!!

 

[Vowelguy]

Sarah had an amazing night

 

[Centerstream]

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

 

[Vowelguy]

who is on crutches -- Cheli?

 

[Surly1]

I think it is official. Paige may be the greatest Elite Eight player in history. Baylor - 28, NC St - 27, USC - 28, USC -31.

Can you hear her? She's Paige (I'm taking no prisoners) Bueckers on a way to winning a NC. Two more to go. Two more 30+ games in the offing?

 

[TheGOAT23]

I saw a lot of flopping by USC.

 

[Happydad745]

35 Fouls in this game...the refs might have a bit too quick to the whistle....Great game by UConn, very patient, focused and tough. Wow to Paige and Sarah, Chen was there when we needed her.

 

[Stagnant]

who is on crutches -- Cheli?

Yes.

 

[ec33]

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

Tired of being under .500 in Final Fours.