USF Postgame Thread

[Ozimoto]

USF posed a good puzzle for the Huskies early. They didn't let the Huskies run uncontrollably and made them work in the half court. Looked like some adjustments were made at half time and they "figured it out" in the third quarter. Kept the ball moving and got good shots as a result.
The front court looked good and both Ice and Jana had some nice moves around the basket for scores. There is still some work to be done chemistry wise as some of the turnovers looked to be caused by the passer and receiver not being on the same page, but that will improve.
There is definitely some really talented players out there and they looked really good for the second game of the season. UNC will be a tougher test with their size and the game is on the road, so we'll see how that works out. If they don't get rattled I think they can compete with anyone right. With a team this young, it's difficult to project their ceiling after only three games, but they have to potential to be a potent group by February and March.

 

[DEpup]

wasn't morgan one of the last 5 in naismith player of the year race in high school this year? (the winner was sarah)

methinks folks are underestimating her. (i wouldn't count on continuing excellence from 3-land ... but suppose it's possible ... and i have a feeling there is leadership in her, which may emerge greatly when paige is gone)

I agree. IMO, these rating services have a hard time placing those Swiss army knife non traditional players. Morgan is not any one position or thing and it's like they can't get their math to reflect her true skill.

 

[Bone Dog]

wasn't morgan one of the last 5 in naismith player of the year race in high school this year? (the winner was sarah)

methinks folks are underestimating her. (i wouldn't count on continuing excellence from 3-land ... but suppose it's possible ... and i have a feeling there is leadership in her, which may emerge greatly when paige is gone)

I agree. IMO, these rating services have a hard time placing those Swiss army knife non traditional players. Morgan is not any one position or thing and it's like they can't get their math to reflect her true skill.

I agree. Morgan looked really good, especially on defense and rebounding. And her intensity was impressive. And all of this was predictable from her final HS season which showed the same intensity in all areas, even though she was playing through injuries. This is one tough kid.

After one rebound, she turned and took two dribbles down the court at top speed -- you could really see the former PG in that moment -- and then she passed it off to KK at midcourt. She's got a ton of potential, and the defensive energy she brings will earn her minutes.

She may not start this season, or even be in the rotation come February. But she will start in Storrs eventually, maybe even next fall. I have a feeling it will be Sarah and Morgan and Jana's team two years from now, maybe even sooner.

One person she reminds me of is Evina. The two of them were not necessarily great shooters, though both could be streaky, but they were scrappy and hard-nosed. They knew how to make things happen and when to take charge.

 

[uconnfan68]

There are really no negatives today. I actually think South Florida is better than most teams in the big east.

I don’t have Morgan as a shooter. So her being 3/3 from behind the arc this year. I don’t know what to make of that. I would say she has earned some more minutes.

What do you guys think of Morgan and Ziebell coming into the game before Q? Was Geno just looking to squeeze them in because they are new players? Can anything be gleamed from that?

He knows Q isn't ready defensively, and needs to find out about the others.

 

[HuskyNan]

For those who would like Ice to grab more rebounds - rewatch the game. She had her hands on several balls but at the same time as a teammate so she gave up the possession. I thought Ice looked really good yesterday. I loved her offensive aggressiveness.

 

[Phil]

You know it's a good day when KK hits 50 percent of her field-goal attempts (three for six) and that's good enough for ninth best shooting percentage on the team

 

[Bone Dog]

For those who would like Ice to grab more rebounds - rewatch the game. She had her hands on several balls but at the same time as a teammate so she gave up the possession. I thought Ice looked really good yesterday - I loved her offensive aggressiveness.

It looks like Ice may have turned the proverbial corner.

 

[oldude]

It looks like Ice may have turned the proverbial corner.

Ice does take awhile to warm up…

 

[msf22b]

I think having another big to compete with in practice and for playing time is good for her development

 

[Bills Fan]

We'll see exactly where Jana and Ice are when UConn plays against UNC with 6'5" Bianca Thomas 6'3" Maria Gakdeng and 6'4" Cierra Toomey.........hoping for a good showing.......

I'd take our big 3, Jana, Sarah, ICE supplemented with Morgan over the NC 3 , 99% of the time and our Guards over theirs 100% of the time. The big change up front this year is we have Sarah and they have Cierra-again, not even close.

 

[Bills Fan]

I agree. Morgan looked really good, especially on defense and rebounding. And her intensity was impressive. And all of this was predictable from her final HS season which showed the same intensity in all areas, even though she was playing through injuries. This is one tough kid.

After one rebound, she turned and took two dribbles down the court at top speed -- you could really see the former PG in that moment -- and then she passed it off to KK at midcourt. She's got a ton of potential, and the defensive energy she brings will earn her minutes.

She may not start this season, or even be in the rotation come February. But she will start in Storrs eventually, maybe even next fall. I have a feeling it will be Sarah and Morgan and Jana's team two years from now, maybe even sooner.

One person she reminds me of is Evina. The two of them were not necessarily great shooters, though both could be streaky, but they were scrappy and hard-nosed. They knew how to make things happen and when to take charge.

Bone, I agree with your "3-headed monster," but I would have to amend it to "4-headed" by adding Ashlynn , and if Azzi stays and is healthy make it a "handfull" !

 

[Rowdy831]

Geno always has his favorite and that appears to be Chen so far this season. I would agree with most that the players are looking really good so far but the competition really hasn't been very good. My expectation is that in the short run you will see them go to a starting lineup that includes Jana since she is looking like her confort level has gotten to a good spot really fast.

Paige is amazing as usual, Sarah is obviously the same type of player and Ash has gotten quite a big stronger in the off season. Ice looked good and when her and Jana are out there together along with Sarah it gives UConn a pretty long front line that can still spread the offense with their outside shooting.

As the schedule gets tougher it will be interesting who can elevate their game and consequently separate themselves for the playing time. One thing is clear though, they have a lot of really good players.

 

[JoePgh]

For those who would like Ice to grab more rebounds - rewatch the game. She had her hands on several balls but at the same time as a teammate so she gave up the possession. I thought Ice looked really good yesterday. I loved her offensive aggressiveness.

I do plan to re-watch the game, but watching it live, it seemed to me that Ice had her hands on several balls (not just rebounds but passes from teammates) that slipped away or were slapped away by defenders -- a classic case of butter fingers, and not just in this last game. By contrast, when Sarah or Jana gets two hands on a ball, it's not going anywhere until she wants to let go of it.

Paige is also in the Sarah/Jana category in that respect. There was one play against USF where two defenders trapped Paige near mid-court and I thought they were going to get a steal (and I think Jose also thought that). But Paige wouldn't let go, and kept possession of the ball and got it to a teammate, eventually (as I recall) resulting in a score. Olyve Oyl no more!

 

[Bigboote]

wasn't morgan one of the last 5 in naismith player of the year race in high school this year? (the winner was sarah)

methinks folks are underestimating her. (i wouldn't count on continuing excellence from 3-land ... but suppose it's possible ... and i have a feeling there is leadership in her, which may emerge greatly when paige is gone)

Yeah, I've been thinking some Boneyarders were sleeping on her.

Regarding her fouls: This was her second game. She went to UConn to be coached hard. I think the coaches will help her take care of the fouling.

 

[ThisJustIn]

They're not at the same level (but they could get close by the end of the year), but it's reminding me of my favorite quote from "Same River Twice" (the 2000-01 team).

Away game, UConn is stomping a team.

Opposing fan, yelling at Geno, "Put in your bench!"

Geno turns around and yells, "This IS my bench!"

pause

Opposing fan, "PUT IN YOUR STARTERS!!"

 

[hoophuskee]

For those who would like Ice to grab more rebounds - rewatch the game. She had her hands on several balls but at the same time as a teammate so she gave up the possession. I thought Ice looked really good yesterday. I loved her offensive aggressiveness.

I rewatched the 1st half to look more closely at this. Your points are spot on. There were two additional rebounds that were "hers" as you state in which Sarah and Paige also had the ball or was a bit better positiioned to get the ball. There were I believe two other rebounds that on one side ice had boxed out her player and Sarah had the other side. The ball went to Sarah's side.

At the end of the half there was a play she blocked her player near 5-10 feet from the basket. Sarah's momentum was going the way of the ball with no one around her while Ice was boxing out her player that was the closest USF player to the ball. Sarah ended up getting the rebound after it hit the floor a few tmes beucase Ice kept the other player away from the ball.

I question whether we are going to see many rebounds from Ice this year not because she can't but becuase Sarah is so gifted and Jana is so tall and big and Paige is so active. Thus it wouldn't be a knock on her. She's not going to get 30 minutes unless in rare circumstances.

 

[Bills Fan]

I do plan to re-watch the game, but watching it live, it seemed to me that Ice had her hands on several balls (not just rebounds but passes from teammates) that slipped away or were slapped away by defenders -- a classic case of butter fingers, and not just in this last game. By contrast, when Sarah or Jana gets two hands on a ball, it's not going anywhere until she wants to let go of it.

Paige is also in the Sarah/Jana category in that respect. There was one play against USF where two defenders trapped Paige near mid-court and I thought they were going to get a steal (and I think Jose also thought that). But Paige wouldn't let go, and kept possession of the ball and got it to a teammate, eventually (as I recall) resulting in a score. Olyve Oyl no more!

Joe, you are so right regarding ICE's hands. It was a problem last year and so far has continued this year. It's a big problem for a big who is in the paint with a crowd around her most of the time . A good example of this and her lack of intensity is a USF FT, I think early in the 3rd Qtr, when ICE had the first lane and weakly boxed out as a missed FT bounced off her hands.

She has some real skills, shooting and passing, but bad hands are tough to cure.

 

[Geew1992]

USF tried to beat up the Huskies. Nothing new there, but this team has the size and strength to discourage that approach. You’re going to have to ball to beat UConn.

Uconn gives as good as they take. The "beat up" "too physical"... That's part of the game

 

[Geew1992]

He knows Q isn't ready defensively, and needs to find out about the others.

This... If you aren't playing defense, you won't see the floor

 

[DEpup]

Your point reminds me of Tuck a bit. Her stats were rarely gaudy but she did the box out dirty work using her frame and Stewie probably benefited from it.

 

[Zonepress]

I rewatched the 1st half to look more closely at this. Your points are spot on. There were two additional rebounds that were "hers" as you state in which Sarah and Paige also had the ball or was a bit better positiioned to get the ball. There were I believe two other rebounds that on one side ice had boxed out her player and Sarah had the other side. The ball went to Sarah's side.

At the end of the half there was a play she blocked her player near 5-10 feet from the basket. Sarah's momentum was going the way of the ball with no one around her while Ice was boxing out her player that was the closest USF player to the ball. Sarah ended up getting the rebound after it hit the floor a few tmes beucase Ice kept the other player away from the ball.

I question whether we are going to see many rebounds from Ice this year not because she can't but becuase Sarah is so gifted and Jana is so tall and big and Paige is so active. Thus it wouldn't be a knock on her. She's not going to get 30 minutes unless in rare circumstances.

I would add that in the first half the petimeter players from UConn we’re getting beat off the dribble very consistently, forcing the Biggs to help out
USF had a number of offensive rebounds, which, in my humble opinion were the results of the off
Side perimeter players, not filling the lane i
And tebounfing
When you shoot close to 70% for the first 3/4 there’s not a lot of offensive rebounds

 

[RoadMaster]

 

[MSGRET]

This game should have been at least a 45 point win, the only thing that kept USF in the game was the refs swallowing their whistles when it came to calling fouls on the Bulls.

 

[Zinethar]

When I re-watched the game I thought Ice played very well but has a bit of trouble catching the ball - much like defensive backs in football (if they could catch they would be receivers). Her footwork has become very good, good at boxing out, shooting, and filling lanes. Sarah and Jana both have great hands and catch the ball securely. Not everyone has great hand-eye coordination. Talk to Mora and have her do some of the defensive back catch drills . This team is SO much fun to watch!

 

[Bone Dog]

Another classic moment I noticed on a re-watch of the game (thank you, @MJL243):

In the last 2:00 minutes of the 3rd quarter, Jana scores on a driving layup and gets fouled. The team celebrates with Jana and she has her ‘scary’ game face on… until Paige approaches, and then Jana has a big grin.