USF Postgame Thread

[AJay11]

If Azzi is healthy and near 100% she starts and so does Ash. Kaitlyn sits.

I don't think it really matters until we see Azzi play. Isn't Chen playing point guard? Wouldn't Paige have to play PG then? I would hate to not see Chen in the starting line up. She has hops and passing. Definitely thinks she struggles on defense like Lou, but I love the way she makes up for her height when shooting over taller players. She and KK are ying-yang of each other when it comes to offense and defense. Ugh... definitely biased because I absolutely love the starting guards. Don't hate me, but I want Azzi to come off the bench.

 

[rubymae4]

There was a moment in the 2nd half when Geno took Paige out and the question was...who is going to take over and give the team the leadership it requires and that person was Shade...She was magnificent..

I saw that too. There’s an intensity to Shade that’s apparent even this early in the season. She took Geno’s orders to take more risks to heart, but she’s also stepping out in taking a quiet leadership role when needed. Her growth from last year to this year is striking.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Paige? Meh. Ash? Meh. Sarah? OK, she's really, really good.

But the players who impressed me most were Jana and Morgan.

Re Jana: How about the left-handed hook shot early on? Who was the last player who could do such a thing? Tina Charles? Stef Dolson? Could be. Stewie? Could be. Natalie Butler? Possibly. Liv? Don't think she ever shot a hook, to my chagrin. Dorka? Maybe. Anyway, wow. And Jana seems so comfortable with the rough and tumble around the basket.

Re Morgan: What's the story? I thought 3-point shooting was not her strength. What is she, three for three from three? Looked good shooting them. Also impressed by her rebounding. You go, player!

Re Qadence: I was surprised she played the fewest minutes against BU. Thought she did some good things. Today, not so much, but she did have tape on one of her shoulders. Maybe she got dinged in practice. Hoping for good things from her going forward. [which is really the only direction you can go, when you think about it]

 

[MSGRET]

I believe that Jose and USF will win the American Athletic Conference this year and make it to the dance. Massey has them as the top rated team out of the AAC at 76, 25 slots higher than the second place team Tulane.

 

[Stagnant]

I think Morgan and Allie are better at defense. Q still looks a little lost.

I watched the game again. And Morgan was extremely physical on defense. Any player that she was guarding got jammed if they ran through the key.

 

[hoophuskee]

I don't think it really matters until we see Azzi play. Isn't Chen playing point guard? Wouldn't Paige have to play PG then? I would hate to not see Chen in the starting line up. She has hops and passing. Definitely thinks she struggles on defense like Lou, but I love the way she makes up for her height when shooting over taller players. She and KK are ying-yang of each other when it comes to offense and defense. Ugh... definitely biased because I absolutely love the starting guards. Don't hate me, but I want Azzi to come off the bench.

They (Paige and Chen) are both playing PG. Paige is running the Offense a lot even though Chen is in the game with her. I would prefer Chen playing as she is. Wouldn't we say this game was super how they looked? They shot 67% from the floor and Paige was 9-10 from the floor. The thing is Paige only had 1 assist. WHile CHen had 7. IMO UCONN moves the ball faster with CHen and KK on the flor with Paige (and Shade). Shade was 7-10. I can recall because Chen anxd KK pushed the ball they allowed Paige wide open/easy looks. A wide open look for Paige is better than Paige giving a teammate a wide open look all things being equal unless its a healthy Azzi. Then wide open shooting the ball just in that comparision they are pretty close statistically when healthy.

 

[Steve UConn72]

Bench numbers - 20 points on 9/17 shooting, 17 rebounds, 5 assists & 2 steals. Not bad.

 

[freshler40]

IMo Chen's game Offensive game comes down to how well she passes the ball and how well she hits open shots. UCONN doesn't need her to be anything close to what she was at Princeton. An occassional game - sure. But overall UCONN has much more "efficient scorers" for her to be as aggressive as she was at Princeton. So she needs to work on her passing vs taking tough shots.

Interesting point but taking what the game gives you might be best. Chen has the offensive tools and that sets up others as well. Hard to defend against five offensive players. Chen can create her own shot and is disruptive on offense. It is hard to keep her out of the lane at times, she may get blocked, as does KK, but that type of effort can draw fouls and money from the line. Positionless players among guards is the best way to go IMO.

 

[freshler40]

They (Paige and Chen) are both playing PG. Paige is running the Offense a lot even though Chen is in the game with her. I would prefer Chen playing as she is. Wouldn't we say this game was super how they looked? They shot 67% from the floor and Paige was 9-10 from the floor. The thing is Paige only had 1 assist. WHile CHen had 7. IMO UCONN moves the ball faster with CHen and KK on the flor with Paige (and Shade). Shade was 7-10. I can recall because Chen anxd KK pushed the ball they allowed Paige wide open/easy looks. A wide open look for Paige is better than Paige giving a teammate a wide open look all things being equal unless its a healthy Azzi. Then wide open shooting the ball just in that comparision they are pretty close statistically when healthy.

The player combinations on this team are endless. This really is an opposing coach's nightmare. Our entire team seems invested in what is best for Huskies. Interesting how the two players per position, and understudy roles for some are apparent on both of our basketball teams.

 

[meyers7]

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?

I'm thinking, she didn't have a great practice week. Also when she came on she jacked up a couple shots, not really in the flow of the offense. She also got beat or got lost on the defensive end a couple times. The last time, Geno said something to the assist coaches and she came off, not to get back in the game.

She was off this game, from the first game (where she was really good). Hopefully she can get it back together this week.

 

[Kat]

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.

 

[meyers7]

I watched the game again. And Morgan was extremely physical on defense. Any player that she was guarding got jammed if they ran through the key.

She looking at least early on, like a good all-rounder. Can shoot, pass, rebound. Not superstar at anything, but decent/good at everything. Maybe a glue player.

 

[PacoSwede]

She looking at least early on, like a good all-rounder. Can shoot, pass, rebound. Not superstar at anything, but decent/good at everything. Maybe a glue player.

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)

 

[HuskyNan]

IMo Chen's game Offensive game comes down to how well she passes the ball and how well she hits open shots. UCONN doesn't need her to be anything close to what she was at Princeton. An occassional game - sure. But overall UCONN has much more "efficient scorers" for her to be as aggressive as she was at Princeton. So she needs to work on her passing vs taking tough shots.

Kaitlyn has had to adjust from being the primary offensive weapon at Princeton to passing the ball. There were just a couple instances where she tried to do too much rather than pass to the open shooter, possibly out of habit, but I expect she'll correct that soon. She still had 7 assists yesterday. It's still very early in the season.

 

[Gusaford]

I watched the game again. And Morgan was extremely physical on defense. Any player that she was guarding got jammed if they ran through the key.

Agree on Morgan's extreme physicality. Also impressed by her ability to box out and go get rebounds. My one nit is that she can be a little grabby on defense and, if she plays extended minutes, will likely get called on it with some frequency. Still, I'd rather have to throttle a young player down than try to rev them up . . . .

 

[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!!"