USF Postgame Thread

[BobbyJ]

Geno has indicated that tampering is rampant and nothing is being done. He cited an example that if a player enters the portal and immediately signs with another school, tampering usually occurred.

Schools have to report it and show evidence and if they don’t that’s not GA’s problem. Watch what happens if someone comes after one of his kids.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[huskeynut]

Most enjoyable game to watch. We have season tickets so our seats are between USF fans. Very enjoyable conversations about basketball.

What impressed me about UConn was the intensity they play on defense. They were in USF's faces all night. And it didn't matter who was on the floor for UConn. They were literally in USF's grill all night. USF was frustrated all night.

The offense is getting there.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

USF scored 16 points in the first half, 10 in the 1st Q and 6 in the 2nd

Oops, thanks for the real stuff.

 

[ucmiami2]

People who are frustrated with Jana's minutes need to look first at the opponents' line-ups - USF plays two players over 6' (6'2, 6'3) and seldom at the same time and they are both athletic forwards not centers. Uconn's centers played a combined 29 minutes split 17/12 between Serah and Jana - the other 11 minutes was spent in small ball with Sarah and Yanna at center because that was a better match-up. There aren't that many teams that have a strong center on their roster, but as we saw last year, when we play one of those teams Jana will be an essential part of our roster.

We also present extra issues for teams when we do play small ball, and having Blanca is off the bench only adds to that effectiveness.

 

[donalddoowop]

And watching tonight, I felt like every player out there had some little thing you could quibble about...except for Sarah. So far this season, I'm not sure you can play the game any better.

Regarding your first sentence, I feel the same way about some Boneyarders comments.

 

[donalddoowop]

I am still concerned and disappointed that Jana now seems to be in the cleanup crew, but it appears that ship has sailed. I wonder where Ice will fit into the post rotation when she becomes healthy.

It's also clear that Geno likes the "small" lineup with Sarah at the 5 and probably Blanca at the "4" (more or less). That's no problem against most teams, or even against top teams for some number of minutes. It certainly will give those teams major problems when they are on defense, since UConn can play 5-out and have perimeter scoring threats at every position. But I think Geno recognizes that it is not a 40-minute answer against big post players like Okot, Betts, or Reagan Beers. The biggest problem against those opponents will be rebounding -- Sarah can't be expected to shoulder that responsibility by herself and still be effective for 40 minutes at the offensive end.

I am surprised that no one has mentioned that South Florida was dominating in offensive rebounds until the 4th quarter. Then Jana came into the game and got 4 rebounds (3 offensive) in just 12 minutes, still mostly against USF's starters. Meanwhile Serah Williams got only 3 rebounds (all defensive) in 17 minutes, and Blanca got 2 rebounds (both defensive) in 19 minutes. To me, it is fairly clear that the best pure rebounder on the UConn roster against other big opponents is Jana. That is why I think it is important to the team that she work her way out of the cleanup crew before the postseason tournaments.

Jana started last season after the first few games and helped lead the team to a NC. Now, she comes back this season and has to prove herself again. If Geno concentrated on working with her as much as he is with Serah, I believe she will prosper. She has the footwork, moves, a mid-range jumper, a three-point shot and a jump hook shot. If her teammates knew ow to properly pass the ball into the post the way they do Sarah, she would be more efficient on offense. UConn is going to need her skills in order to win a NC.

 

[BobbyJ]

Jana started last season after the first few games and helped lead the team to a NC. Now, she comes back this season and has to prove herself again. If Geno concentrated on working with her as much as he is with Serah, I believe she will prosper. She has the footwork, moves, a mid-range jumper, a three-point shot and a jump hook shot. If her teammates knew ow to properly pass the ball into the post the way they do Sarah, she would be more efficient on offense. UConn is going to need her skills in order to win a NC.

If she had all these things she'd be playing a lot. But she doesn't have them.

 

[1974yankees]

If she had all these things she'd be playing a lot. But she doesn't have them.

Agreed. And she did not help us win a National Championship game last year...

Here is the box score

UConn 82-59 South Carolina (Apr 6, 2025) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the UConn Huskies vs. South Carolina Gamecocks NCAAW game from April 6, 2025 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

2 points in 12 minutes.

 

[hookshot]

Jana started last season after the first few games and helped lead the team to a NC. Now, she comes back this season and has to prove herself again. If Geno concentrated on working with her as much as he is with Serah, I believe she will prosper. She has the footwork, moves, a mid-range jumper, a three-point shot and a jump hook shot. If her teammates knew ow to properly pass the ball into the post the way they do Sarah, she would be more efficient on offense. UConn is going to need her skills in order to win a NC.

Your last line may have merit but the harsh reality is that she has bad hands, not very good feet, not quick to the ball to capture a rebound, and no particular shooting touch either inside or outside. She runs the court pretty good for a big but not like all the other gazelles in the core 9 rotation. She has big heart, big effort, and great teamate. She could well be a key contributer in say a final 4 versus UCLA, but don't fault Geno for having her out when everybody in is actually better

 

[Vowelguy]

Geno has indicated that tampering is rampant and nothing is being done. He cited an example that if a player enters the portal and immediately signs with another school, tampering usually occurred.

Tampering is pretty difficult to police.

Eg Morgan Valley says to Heckel “if your friend and former teammate Syla Swords ever wants to transfer, I’m sure ANY team would be glad to have her.”

Heckel conveys the sentiment and then works on persuading her friend.

Tampering? Officially no, since no coach ever spoke to her.

Given how much these top players seem to know each other, I assume these bsckchannel discussions through friends or HS coaches happens not infrequently. And I don’t see how you can stop them.

 

[Zonepress]

Your last line may have merit but the harsh reality is that she has bad hands, not very good feet, not quick to the ball to capture a rebound, and no particular shooting touch either inside or outside. She runs the court pretty good for a big but not like all the other gazelles in the core 9 rotation. She has big heart, big effort, and great teamate. She could well be a key contributer in say a final 4 versus UCLA, but don't fault Geno for having her out when everybody in is actually better

post is quite accurate

 

[MilfordHusky]

Interesting game. We won the first half by 32 and the second half by 2.

Sarah and Blanca both missed multiple baskets at the rim, and Azzi missed a bunch of shots that she almost always makes. We could have won by 50. 😃

Sarah had a "routine" double-double. She's goooooood!

Serah had several nice moves and maybe no bad plays at all.

Kayleigh showed energy and shot-making in Q4.

Does Blanca's body run at a different tempo than everyone else on earth?

Who had this on his/her bingo card--Azzi Fudd making a real run at Defensive Player of the Year?

UConn is now 143-0 against American Conference teams. This is not a typo.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Sarah leads the nation in A:TO ratio of 4.67.